Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, are the last adult teeth to emerge and are located at the back of the mouth. You may not require a dental exam if your wisdom teeth are sound, fully formed, positioned correctly, and do not affect the mouth’s overall oral hygiene. Third molars are referred to as ‘impacted teeth’ when they are unable to emerge normally. This particular condition has a very good chance of causing pain. Therefore, you will have to consult a dentist if you experience pain due to your wisdom tooth. This article discusses about the key elements of impacted wisdom tooth pain, focusing on the surgical management of the impacted wisdom tooth by a dentist.
How can one tell if an impacted wisdom tooth is hurting?
The gum tissue surrounding the emerging third molar usually swells, becomes inflamed, and becomes sensitive. However, if the wisdom tooth is hurting and the person feels pressure in the back of the arch, they should see a dentist for a thorough examination of their teeth. Please be aware that only a dentist can determine whether there is impaction of wisdom tooth or not. This is because the wisdom teeth are fully or partially buried in the jawbone or soft tissues.
Wisdom tooth impaction can occasionally be asymptomatic. Therefore, a dentist should decide whether or not a wisdom tooth that is completely impacted in the jawbone is problematic.
How does a dentist decide whether to surgically remove the impacted third molar?
The impacted tooth shouldn’t be removed until the dentist has given it a clinical and radiological diagnosis. The dentist typically decides to extract the impacted tooth when it tends to harm the neighboring teeth. It may also cause swollen gums and deep cavities, result in jaw damage, cause sinus problems, and affect the alignment of the teeth leading to crowding of the teeth. The other considerations that go into decision-making are patient’s age, mouth structure, and tooth alignment.
What problems might arise if the impacted third molars are not treated?
If the impacted wisdom tooth is not treated, complications may develop. These mainly include:
- Deep cavities
- Gum problems
- Deep cavities
- Cysts and abscesses
- Other oral infections
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