Along with discomfort, impacted wisdom teeth cause several dental issues. They increase your risk of tooth decay and even change the positioning of your teeth if left untreated. Being able to identify the signs of impacted teeth is crucial so that you can receive the proper treatment.

Causes

There’s not always enough room for wisdom teeth when they finally come in, which is how impaction occurs. Impacted teeth may erupt partially or remain completely encased within the gum tissue. They can also grow at odd angles, which may affect the health of your other teeth. For example, some erupting teeth grow at such an angle that they rub against and misalign adjacent teeth.

Symptoms

Wisdom teeth may be impacted and yet present no signs or symptoms. In other cases, shifting or infection may cause pain in the jaw, swelling, bad breath, an unpleasant taste, bleeding gums, and problems opening your mouth. Your dentist can provide more insight on a case-by-case basis.

Treatments

Surgical removal is the most effective solution. Some dentists choose to remove wisdom teeth even when they’re not causing any issues. Patients are usually sedated before the procedure to minimize discomfort. From there, teeth are removed via a small incision into the gums. Most patients recover quickly, provided they follow instructions for post-surgical care. 

In Fairbanks, AK, Helmbrecht Dental offers safe and effective wisdom teeth extraction for local patients. This clinic is equipped to treat patients of all ages and prides itself on offering a variety of treatments. Dental services include teeth cleanings, fillings, root canal therapy, crowns, bridges, and implant restorations. They even offer emergency appointments should you experience an after-hours dental situation. Contact this locally owned and operated dental clinic by calling (907) 456-1237. If you’d like to learn more about their services, visit them online.