Impacted Tooth

What You Need to Know About Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are the cases where teeth stay behind other teeth or in the jawbone. Usually, third molars (known as "wisdom teeth") remain impacted, but other teeth may also be in this condition. These teeth can cause pain, inflammation and other dental problems.

Impacted teeth are usually caused by the mouth not being big enough. This means that the teeth will not find enough space and will get stuck in the jawbone or behind other teeth. Some teeth also do not fit correctly or prevent other teeth from growing.

Impacted Tooth Symptoms

Impacted teeth usually do not show any symptoms. However, the following symptoms may indicate impacted teeth:

pain or tenderness
Other teeth feel under pressure
Swelling or redness of the gums
Difficulty opening mouth or swallowing

Embedded Dentistry

The treatment of impacted teeth is done with different methods depending on the location of the tooth, its size and the risk of infection. These methods include options such as impacted tooth surgery, tooth exposure and orthodontic treatment. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and is completed within a few hours.

Monitoring Teeth

In some cases, the dentist may monitor your teeth. This is done to monitor the position of the teeth and to prevent other dental problems.

Impacted Tooth Operations

Extraction of impacted teeth is the most common treatment method. During the operation, the soft tissues on the tooth are cut and the dental bone is accessed. The teeth are extracted by cutting the ligaments in the dental bone. During the procedure, local anesthesia is applied and pain is not felt. In addition, surgical extraction may be required depending on the size and location of the tooth.

Revealing the Tooth

The process of revealing the tooth involves cutting the soft tissues on the tooth and making the tooth visible. Even if the tooth remains in the jawbone, it is slowly pushed onto the gum to expose it. There may be a feeling of pain and discomfort during this procedure. The area may be sensitive for a few days after the procedure.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment of impacted teeth is done by moving other teeth around the teeth. Before the tooth is exposed, a space is created in the area to allow other teeth to move within the jawbone. This gap ensures that the teeth have the space they need to move. Then, the tooth is placed between the other teeth by moving it slowly with orthodontic instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Impacted Teeth

What is an Impacted Teeth?

Impacted teeth are a tooth that cannot come out completely by staying between other teeth as a result of improper growth in the jawbone instead of where it should come out normally. Impacted teeth are commonly known as third molars (teeth at the very back of the teeth, wisdom teeth).

What Causes Impacted Teeth?

The exact cause of the impacted tooth is unknown. However, there are several reasons why the teeth usually prevent the place where the tooth will come out. These include factors such as not enough space in the mouth, the tooth growing in the wrong direction, or the tooth being under the bone.

What Are the Symptoms of Impacted Tooth?

Symptoms include pain, swelling of the gums, jaw pain, infection of the gums, bad breath, limitation of mouth opening, and difficulty swallowing.

How Is Impacted Tooth Treatment Performed?

Treatment may vary depending on the position of the tooth, its size, and in which direction it is growing. Treatment options may include surgical extraction of the tooth, cutting of the gingival tissue, removing the bone tissue around the tooth, creating enough space to facilitate the removal of the tooth, and bonding the tooth to other teeth.

How is the Impacted Tooth Extraction Operation Performed?

Impacted tooth surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. During the operation, the gum is cut, the necessary bone is cut and the tooth is exposed. The tooth can be divided into parts or removed as a whole. After the surgery is completed, the gingiva is sutured and the patient is kept under observation for a while.

How should the care after impacted tooth surgery be?

After the impacted tooth operation, special care is required until the wound in the mouth area heals.

Cold application in the first days: Applying cold to the mouth area in the first days after the operation can reduce swelling and pain.
Medication use: Use the painkillers and antibiotics recommended by your dentist regularly. Also, do not use blood thinners such as aspirin without your doctor's approval.
Soft foods: Avoid hot, spicy and hard foods in the first days after surgery. Consume soft and easily chewable foods.
Oral hygiene: Pay attention to oral hygiene after surgery. You can avoid brushing your teeth, but rinse your mouth regularly using a mouthwash recommended by your doctor.
Smoking and alcohol use: Stop for a few days after the operation.
Check-up appointment: Follow the check-up appointments recommended by your dentist.

What Are the Risks in Removing Impacted Teeth?

There are some risks after an impacted tooth operation. These may include:

Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during or after the procedure. In this case, inform your doctor immediately.
Infection: There is a risk of infection after an impacted tooth operation. The use of antibiotics and hygienic care measures can reduce the risk of infection.
Nerve damage: It can damage surrounding tissues or nerves during surgery. In this case, symptoms such as loss of sensation, numbness or tingling may be experienced.
Jawbone damage: There may be jawbone damage during the procedure. In this case, the healing process may be longer.
Other risks: Other risks such as anesthesia reactions, allergic reactions and cardiovascular diseases may also occur during an impacted tooth operation

What are the Costs of Impacted Tooth Operation?

Impacted tooth operation fees may vary according to the treatment method. Usually, dentists price according to the difficulty of the operation and the position of the tooth. Impacted tooth extraction may be more expensive than other tooth extractions because it is not usually a simple operation. The cost may increase, especially when additional treatments such as local anesthesia or sedation are required.

What are the Other Methods Used in Impacted Teeth Treatment?

Impacted tooth treatment may vary depending on the position of the tooth and the symptoms it causes. If symptoms are minor and not causing problems, only follow-up may be recommended. However, if the symptoms are severe and have started to damage other teeth, the dentist will recommend other treatment options.

One of them is partial removal of the tooth. In this procedure, the dentist removes only the upper part of the tooth and leaves the lower part in the jawbone. This allows the soft tissues around the tooth to heal and also facilitates the complete removal of the tooth in the future.

Another treatment option is tooth extraction. This procedure involves removing the soft and hard tissues around the impacted tooth. This method can be a more demanding operation and usually requires general anesthesia or sedation.

What are the Methods of Preventing Impact of the Tooth?

Prevention of impacted teeth is a process that dentists and patients need to work with. Although it is not possible to completely prevent the formation of impacted teeth, the risk can be reduced by applying some preventive methods.

Checking the teeth regularly: Dentists usually recommend checking the teeth every 6 months. These checks can help detect problems in the teething process early on.
Extraction of teeth: Dentists may recommend extraction of premolars in the early stages if necessary. This allows the front teeth to settle and the back teeth to grow. It is called preventive orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment: Orthodontic treatment can help with proper placement of teeth. This can prevent teeth from being impacted.
Brushing and flossing: Regular brushing and flossing can help keep teeth healthy and prevent them from getting stuck in the jaw.
Following the dentist's recommendations: By following your dentist's recommendations, you can protect your teeth and keep them healthy.

Remember that although impacted teeth are not completely preventable, the risk can be reduced with these prevention methods. Together with your dentist, you can take steps to protect your dental health and prevent improper development of teeth.