Impacted Wisdom Teeth Extraction : Symptom, Treatment & Recovery

Impacted wisdom teeth are a common condition among a majority of people around the globe. It’s a condition where an individual’s wisdom teeth will begin to erupt, but not have enough room in the jaw to come in fully. As a result, this will cause the wisdom teeth to push against other teeth as they try to erupt fully. They can also become stuck between the gums and the bone. In the event of a partial eruption, bacteria can grow and lead to an infection. Sometimes it is not necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth if they have enough space in the mouth to grow without any complications. However, this is not always the case. When they fail to grow as they should, it is paramount to remove them since they can result in problems in the future.

Impacted wisdom teeth can also be caused by genetics, which plays an integral role in determining the size of the tooth and the jaw size. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to damage or inflammation of the adjacent teeth. These teeth are classified on the basis of depth and direction of impaction. They can also be classified on the amount of soft tissue on the jaw bone that covers them as well as the amount of space available for them to erupt.

Here are some of the common terms you might hear your dentist use while describing impacted wisdom teeth:

• Vertical Impaction- These types of impacted wisdom teeth grow fairly straight, but they lack enough room on the jaw bone to emerge as they should.
• Soft Tissue Impaction- In this situation, the wisdom teeth get stuck into the gum tissue as it tries to grow and erupt on the surface. This kind of impaction is normally associated with pain and disruption of dental alignment.
• Mistal/Mesial Impaction- This is the most common type of impaction. The tooth angles forward towards the mouth as it tries to erupt. In most cases, this ends up pushing the other teeth in the mouth forward.
• Partial Impaction- This is a condition where the wisdom tooth fails to emerge fully due to disruption by the neighbouring tooth. When you are suffering from this type of impaction, food debris and bacteria can get stuck underneath the tissue opening. This can cause infection leading to pain or other oral health complications.
• Bony Impaction- This type of impaction deals particularly with the wisdom teeth that fail to emerge through the gums but instead remain trapped in the jaw bone. Bony impaction wisdom teeth are covered by a layer of bone.
• Horizontal Impaction- This type of impacted wisdom tooth lies on its side with the jaw bone and directly towards the existing neighbouring tooth instead of growing vertically towards the gum line.

When your wisdom teeth grow in, they usually come in with some discomfort. There are several signs and symptoms that would make it necessary for you to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Here are some of the side effects that you may experience until you have your wisdom tooth removed.

– Persistent Pain

Mouth pain is one of the signs and symptoms that indicate your mouth has a problem. It is the first thing to note when your wisdom teeth have become impacted, and they are interfering with the nerves that run through your jaw. However, these symptoms may also be caused by inflammation, gum disease or an infection of the tissues around an affected tooth. These symptoms which are the most common for all oral complications, do not always essentially mean that you have impacted wisdom teeth. But, it is always important to visit your dentist so that he/she may give you the most accurate evaluation of your mouth.

– Swollen, Tender and Bleeding Gums

Impacted wisdom teeth can result in severe gum problems such as swollen and tender to touch gums. Your gums may even start to bleed when you exert too much pressure while brushing or even flossing. This makes it difficult for you to undertake your daily oral care routine. It is good to note that impacted wisdom teeth can lead to such symptoms but it can also be other forms of gum disease. Therefore, to be sure, it is best advised to visit your dentist for a consultation.

– Difficulty opening your Jaw

Not only do impact wisdom teeth cause your gums to swell but also your jaws. When your jaws get swollen, they can make it difficult and painful for you to open and close your mouth. This jaw pain is not always painful at first, however, as time goes by it will possibly become more intense. The pain may also be coming and going in phases, and this may leave you feeling uncomfortable only to have this pain disappear after a few days. Unluckily, this pain will most likely return. Therefore, do not ignore this pain, even if it disappears for some time.

– Swollen Glands in the Shoulder and Neck

It is common to have the glands in your shoulder and neck swollen when you have impacted teeth. When this symptom is combined with swollen gums, it is a definite sign that you may be experiencing impacted wisdom teeth, and you should seek medical attention immediately.

– Sinus Issues

You can tell that your wisdom teeth are coming in if you experience sinus pain, pressure, and congestion, mainly in your upper jaw region. The growth of the wisdom teeth and development of its roots can exert pressure on the sinuses found above and behind your jaws. Due to this pressure on the sinuses, you may experience persistent headaches and sinus pain.

– Unpleasant Taste in the mouth

It can be quite difficult to clean through your gums and teeth when you have impacted wisdom teeth. Therefore, this makes an impacted wisdom tooth a breeding spot for bacteria thereby resulting in infections and tooth decay. When infections and decay develop, it may cause your mouth to have a bad taste and breath.

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to more complications in severe cases. As much as impacted wisdom teeth themselves can result in severe pain, the real issue comes in from the complications that may arise as a result.

– Development of Cysts

Wisdom teeth grow inside a sac within the jaw bone. This sac can become filled with fluids forming a cyst which can cause damage to the teeth, jaw bone and nerves. In other rare cases, a tumour which is usually noncancerous can develop. Your dentist will need to remove some tissues and bone to treat this complication.

– Damage to the Adjacent Teeth

In case a wisdom tooth grows in pushing against the second molar, it may cause damage to the second molar or increase the risks of infection around that region. The pressure exerted on the second molar may also lead to issues with the overcrowding of the other teeth which will require an orthodontist to straighten the teeth.

– Tooth Decay

Wisdom teeth that are partially developed are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay than fully grown teeth. Usually, this happens because impacted wisdom teeth are hard to reach and thus do not get properly cleaned. Therefore, food remains and bacteria get trapped between teeth and gums resulting in tooth decay.

Before you can undergo any form of impacted wisdom teeth removal, you will first meet your oral surgeon for a consultation. During the visit, you will be required to provide your dental and medical history to your surgeon. This is to make sure that you do not have any prior problems that may interfere with the recommended treatment. Your dentist will then conduct a thorough examination of the state of your mouth, jaw, and teeth. He/she will also take x-rays of your wisdom teeth as well as the neighbouring teeth before any treatment can commence.

If the surgeon recommends that the surgical method is the best treatment for your condition, he/she will explain the entire procedure to you. He will explain the risk and benefits involved and will also answer all your question concerning the procedure. You will also be provided with some specific guidelines on what to do and what not to do before the surgery.

You do not need to undergo any treatment if your wisdom teeth have emerged in the right way and they are not causing any problems. You can take some over-the-counter medications to alleviate any discomfort that may be caused by the condition. However, you still need to be sure that you are able to brush, floss and clean your wisdom teeth thoroughly without any difficulties. Also, ensure that you visit your dentist regularly to examine the condition of your wisdom teeth. The condition of wisdom teeth changes a lot, especially between the age of 16 and 23. If your dentist has suggested that your wisdom teeth are problematic, here are some of the treatments you can undergo:

1. Coronectomy

Coronectomy is a surgical procedure used by an oral surgeon when impacted wisdom teeth extraction has a high risk of alveolar nerve injury. In such a case, the wisdom teeth in the lower jaw often press on a wrap around the nerve that supplies feeling to the tongue, lips, and chin. Research shows that such a procedure has the risk of damaging the inferior alveolar nerve or the lingual nerve. This can leave you with a temporary or permanent loss of feeling.
During this procedure, your dental surgeon will remove the crown of the tooth leaving the nerves untouched. This form of treatment is preferred when the roots are within the immediate vicinity since it prevents neurological damage. Damage caused to these nerves may interfere with many aspects of life including eating and speaking. Here are some of the situations that may make your surgeon recommend Coronectomy:

• If you have an infected tooth or root
• If there is any root mobility discovered by your surgeon during the surgery
• If the roots of your tooth are too close together
• If the tooth is impacted horizontally along the inferior alveolar nerve

2. Local Treatments

You can also treat your wisdom teeth through local treatment. In situations where there is inflammation of the soft tissues in the area surrounding the impacted tooth, you can clean the place and use some antiseptic rinse. You can also use antibiotics for severe cases.

3. Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal
– Before the Surgery

When a wisdom tooth is impacted, the chances are high that your dentist will recommend extraction as the ideal solution. If ignored, it is almost certain that it will cause some complications especially if it is located on the lower jaw. For proper wisdom teeth removal, the dentist needs to carry out a proper diagnosis. During the diagnosis, the dentist will assess any signs of infections that include swollen or red gums. He/she will also take an x-ray to determine the position of the impacted wisdom tooth and the extent of damage caused by the tooth. Once all that is done, your dental surgeon will then proceed to a wisdom tooth removal procedure.

– During the Surgery

The dentist will administer either local or general anaesthesia depending on your level of anxiousness to numb your mouth. Anaesthesia will also help in suppressing your consciousness during the procedure. Here is the different type of anaesthesia your dentist can use on you depending on the level of your anxiety and how the procedure is being carried out.

• Local Anaesthesia- This type of anaesthesia is administered through an injection into the area surrounding the impacted wisdom teeth. The anaesthesia will prevent you from feeling any pain during the procedure.
• Local Anaesthesia and Intravenous Sedation- This type of anaesthesia will make you feel relaxed during the procedure, and you will also be less aware of what is going on.
• General Anaesthesia- This type of anaesthesia will make you sleep and will thus prevent you from feeling any pain. General anaesthesia is mostly used when the dentist is removing all four teeth at once.

After administering the anaesthesia, your oral surgeon will then make an incision on the gum covering the tooth to expose it. He/she will then open up and separate the tissue connecting the tooth and the jaw bone. This will enable the dentist to remove the tooth with much ease. Sometimes the dentist may be forced to cut the tooth into smaller pieces for easy extraction. The dentist will finally suture the opening in the gum line and allow the area to heal.

– After the Surgery

After the surgery, the dentist will send you home with clear instructions on what to do to speed up your healing processes and avoid any post-surgery complications. Here are some guidelines you should follow:

Just like any other surgery, extracting wisdom teeth can lead to some discomfort within the first few days after the procedure. This pain is expected, and it can be reduced with some simple painkillers. Your dentist will prescribe you the correct medication and dosage depending on how your procedure went. These prescribed pain medications should not be long-term, and you will gradually start to wean them off as the pain reduces. Also, depending on the infection status of your tooth, the surgery, and your general body health, you may be prescribed some antibiotics. If you get prescribed antibiotics, make sure that you complete the whole course. Do not stop even if the symptoms are gone.