Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, and most adults have four wisdom teeth, or third molars, that begin to emerge between ages 17 and 25 after the rest of the adult teeth are in place. An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that does not have enough room in the jaw for proper development or to emerge properly, so it stays trapped under the gum line or in the jawbone, or may fail to erupt into the correct position. Smaller modern jaws are one reason crowded third molars are so common. Left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause dental problems and affect your overall oral health, including pain, infection, tooth decay, pressure on adjacent teeth, damage to neighboring teeth, and cleaning problems; others come in normally and do not need treatment.
If you are in your late teens or twenties or you have pain, swelling, a bad taste, or concerns about a partially impacted wisdom tooth or a fully impacted wisdom tooth this guide explains what impaction is, why it happens, the symptoms to watch for, the complications impacted wisdom teeth can cause, and the treatment options a dentist, oral surgeon, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon may recommend, from monitoring when asymptomatic—about 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth—to wisdom teeth removal or impacted wisdom teeth removal as a preventative measure against future problems; anesthesia may range from local anesthesia to general anesthesia, and most patients return home the same day because it is an outpatient procedure.
What causes the tooth to become impacted?
A tooth may only partially emerge or never break through the gums. Whether the tooth is partially or fully impacted, the tooth can grow in a variety of directions: at an angle towards the second molar, an angle toward the back of the mouth, toward the other teeth, or essentially ‘lay down’ in the jawbone or even grow straight but become trapped in the jawbone.
Do I have Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
It is essential to be aware of the signs of impacted wisdom teeth and to understand how to tell if you have wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth don’t always present symptoms, but they can become infected and present these top signs of tooth impaction:
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Tender or bleeding gums
- Jaw pain
- Red or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Swelling around the jaw
- Difficulty opening your mouth
Long-term Consequences & Complications
Impacted teeth can cause several issues in the mouth. Impacted teeth can invade space near the second molar, which increases the risk of infection and may raise questions about whether wisdom teeth really need to be removed. The pressure from the tooth can cause teeth to shift and require orthodontic treatment to realign your teeth. Because of the location of your wisdom teeth, they can be tough to clean; this can leave food trapped between the gum and the partially erupted tooth.
Because a partially impacted tooth is more difficult to clean, this increases the risk of developing a painful inflammatory gum condition called pericoronitis, and partially erupted wisdom teeth are also more susceptible to cavities. Cysts can also develop within the jawbone, causing damage to nerves, teeth, and the jawbone, which is why many providers recommend early removal of wisdom teeth.
Will an Impacted Tooth Fix Itself?
The short answer is no. Impacted teeth are stuck and will not resolve on their own. Without treatment, impacted teeth will continue to cause discomfort, cavities, and gum disease. Many patients also wonder about the best age to remove wisdom teeth, especially when planning treatment for teenagers or young adults, and how anesthesia for oral surgery helps keep them comfortable and safe during the procedure. Knowing what to expect after wisdom teeth removal can make recovery smoother for you or your child and highlights why evaluating your child for wisdom teeth extraction around the mid-teen years is so important. For those preparing for long-term service, such as church or humanitarian missions, dedicated guidance on wisdom teeth removal for missionaries can help prevent problems while away from home. If you live near our practice locations, you can also learn more about wisdom teeth removal in Mesquite, NV or wisdom teeth removal in St. George, UT before scheduling your visit. If you are experiencing any symptoms of an impacted tooth, please contact Dr. Davis at Utah Oral and Facial Surgery Institute to set up a consultation.