What are wisdom teeth ?
Impacted teeth (or third molars) are the molar teeth that emerge the most in the mouth. They usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, or some people may emerge later. Impacted teeth are the teeth at the very back of both sides of the mouth (left and right, both upper and lower) and do not play a significant role in chewing food like other molars. This is because sometimes impacted teeth may not emerge fully or cannot emerge in the correct position. Impacted teeth tend not to emerge in a straight line or in line with neighboring teeth, but may lean inward or outward, causing problems in the mouth.
Problems that often occur from wisdom teeth
1. Wisdom teeth are not fully erupted.
Sometimes impacted teeth may not erupt fully or at all, causing swollen gums, inflammation, or infection around the impacted teeth.
2. Damage adjacent teeth.
If wisdom teeth erupt in the wrong position, it can cause adjacent teeth to shift or cause decay.
3. Infection occurs
Impacted wisdom teeth that do not fully erupt can allow food and bacteria to build up, leading to infection in the gums and teeth.
4. Have pain
Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause mouth sores or pain in the temples when the tooth is trying to erupt.
If wisdom teeth are causing the above problems or are likely to cause problems in the future, your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed to reduce the risk of future oral health problems. Early examination and monitoring of wisdom teeth can help make treatment and decisions about wisdom teeth removal easier and safer.
Causes of wisdom teeth
Impacted teeth are the result of a process related to the development and eruption of teeth during childhood and adolescence. Impacted teeth are the third molars that usually erupt between the ages of
17 and 25. The main causes of impacted teeth not erupting or not fully erupting are multifactorial.
Dental development abnormalities
Impacted teeth occur due to an incomplete development process in the mouth or a disruption in tooth growth. Impacted teeth are often restricted in growth due to limited space in the mouth or may be caused by the teeth being too deep in the gums, making it impossible for them to emerge normally.
Insufficient oral space
When an impacted tooth tries to erupt, it may not be able to do so because there is not enough space in the mouth, other teeth may be too tightly positioned, preventing the impacted tooth from erupting, or it may be erupting in the wrong direction, such as at an angle or in a position that is too deep.
Slow tooth development
Some people may develop wisdom teeth later than others, causing them to not erupt normally or erupt too late, causing oral health problems.
Heredity
Genetics also plays a major role in whether or not wisdom teeth emerge. For example, some people may have wisdom teeth that do not fully develop or that do not emerge at all, and the same trait may occur in other family members.
Dental misalignment
In some cases, impacted teeth may be caused by an abnormality in the alignment of the teeth, such as the teeth not erupting in the normal order or in a disorderly fashion. Impacted teeth may attempt to erupt at odd angles or in the wrong positions.
Age and physical changes
Hormonal changes and bone growth during adolescence and young adulthood can affect the emergence of wisdom teeth, as well as the risk of not fully erupting or problems with wisdom teeth later in life.
Other tooth loss
In some cases, if the second molar (central molar) is lost or there are adjacent teeth that do not erupt normally, the impacted tooth may attempt to erupt in an inappropriate position due to lack of support from the adjacent teeth.
Infection or inflammation
In some cases, infection or inflammation of the gums surrounding the wisdom tooth may result in incomplete eruption of the wisdom tooth.
Impacted teeth are caused by a combination of factors that prevent the teeth from erupting properly, such as insufficient space in the mouth, slow tooth development, or genetics. Incomplete or incorrect tooth eruption can lead to oral health problems, such as infection, pain, or damage to adjacent teeth, which is why wisdom teeth removal may be considered in some cases.
Which wisdom teeth should be extracted ?
Wisdom tooth extraction will be considered based on the characteristics and symptoms of the wisdom tooth, as well as the possible impact on oral health and adjacent teeth. If the wisdom tooth has characteristics or symptoms that may lead to problems or risks to oral health in the future, the dentist will consider recommending the wisdom tooth extraction.
Characteristics of wisdom teeth that should be extracted
Impacted Tooth
• Impacted teeth that are unable to fully emerge or cannot emerge in the proper position in the mouth, such as impacted teeth that emerge tilted inward, outward, or stuck under the gums, which can cause pain or be easily infected.
Impacted wisdom teeth that become inflamed or infected
• If the impacted tooth causes inflammation or infection of the gums around the impacted tooth, especially if the impacted tooth has not fully erupted from the gums, this can cause a build-up of food or bacteria, which can cause infection and inflammation that may lead to pus.
Impacted wisdom teeth that damage adjacent teeth
• If an impacted tooth is tilted too far inward or outward, it can cause adjacent teeth to move or be damaged. For example, an impacted tooth can press on a second molar (adjacent tooth), causing the adjacent tooth to decay or require more complex treatment.
Wisdom teeth that cause frequent pain
• If the impacted tooth causes pain or makes it difficult to chew food because the impacted tooth cannot fully emerge or emerges at an inappropriate angle, such as when the impacted tooth pushes on neighboring teeth or causes gum inflammation.
Impacted wisdom teeth that cannot emerge (Horizontal Impaction)
• Impacted teeth do not emerge in a straight line, but rather are tilted in a direction parallel to the jaw (inward or outward), which prevents them from emerging normally and may pose a risk of infection or damage to adjacent teeth.
Impacted teeth with cyst or tumor formation
• Impacted teeth that are inappropriately positioned or fail to emerge can cause a cyst or tumor to form around the wisdom tooth, which can damage the jawbone and adjacent teeth. The presence of a cyst or tumor is a clear sign that the wisdom tooth may need to be removed.
Impacted teeth that cause problems with tooth alignment
• Impacted teeth are caused by the fact that they cause the teeth in the mouth to move or not be aligned properly, such as when the impacted teeth push the adjacent teeth causing the adjacent teeth to become crooked or misaligned, which may affect future orthodontic treatment.
Wisdom teeth removal should be done when the wisdom teeth are causing problems or symptoms that interfere with daily life, such as pain, inflammation, infection, or damage to adjacent teeth, or when there is a risk that the wisdom teeth will cause oral health problems in the future. If you suspect that your wisdom teeth have these characteristics, you should consult a dentist to assess and decide whether to have the wisdom teeth removed.
What are tooth extraction, wisdom tooth extraction,
and impacted tooth extraction ?
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is a procedure in which a dentist removes a tooth from the mouth using forceps and instruments to move the tooth out of its socket. It is suitable for teeth that cannot be treated, such as teeth with deep decay down to the roots, cracked roots, or teeth that are loose from severe gum disease.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Impacted teeth are the last molar teeth that are unable to emerge normally, may be buried under the gums or may emerge at an angle to hit neighboring teeth. Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove the tooth. The dentist will open the gums and divide the tooth into pieces, then remove the tooth before stitching the wound closed.
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed ?
• Impacted teeth can cause gum inflammation or swelling.
• Impacted teeth push adjacent teeth, causing them to fall.
• Impacted wisdom teeth can cause bad breath or decay of adjacent teeth.
Impacted Tooth Surgery
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is under the gums and cannot erupt, such as a canine tooth that is embedded in the jawbone. Resection of an impacted tooth involves opening the gums and removing the tooth. In some cases, it may be combined with orthodontics to pull the tooth up.
In cases where an impacted tooth needs to be removed
• Impacted teeth cause cysts in the bone.
• Impacted teeth cause teeth to shift or bite abnormally.
• Impacted teeth affect orthodontics or adjacent organs.
Advantages of tooth extraction /wisdom tooth extraction/impacted tooth extraction
• Eliminate problem teeth, reduce pain or infection
• Prevents problems of crooked teeth, tooth decay, and impacted teeth pushing against adjacent teeth.
• Helps improve the efficiency of orthodontic treatment.
Disadvantages or side effects
• There may be pain, swelling, or bleeding after the procedure.
• It may take 3-7 days to recover (especially after wisdom tooth extraction).
• If not properly cared for, infection may occur or the wound may heal slowly.
After tooth extraction or wisdom tooth removal, you should avoid hard foods, avoid vigorous mouthwashing, and strictly follow your dentist's instructions.
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