impacted teeth

1. What is impacted teeth?

Impacted teeth, also known as impacted teeth or crooked teeth, are teeth that do not erupt through the gums normally. Instead, the teeth become trapped in the jawbone or grow in the wrong direction, often sideways or at an angle.

Characteristics of impacted teeth:
– Teeth do not emerge from the gums or only partially emerge
– Teeth grow in an abnormal direction, possibly hitting the adjacent teeth
– Causes pain and discomfort to the patient
– May affect other teeth and jaw structure

Crowding is a common problem, especially in people between the ages of 17 and 25. However, it can occur at any age and with any tooth, although certain types of teeth are more prone to crowding.

2. Causes of impacted teeth

There are many factors that can lead to impacted teeth:

Hereditary:
– Jaw size is smaller than normal
– More teeth than normal
– Abnormal tooth shape

Lack of space:
– Jaw is too small compared to tooth size
– Teeth grow early and take the place of other teeth.
– Early loss of baby teeth causes adjacent teeth to shift.

Injury:
– Strong impact to the jaw area
– Jaw fracture affects tooth development

Infection:
– Gingivitis or periodontitis
– Tooth abscess affects the teething process

Endocrine disorders:
– Growth hormone deficiency
– Thyroid disorders

However, infections and hormonal disorders are not the main causes of impacted teeth. Genetic factors, lack of space, and early loss of baby teeth are the main causes.
Environmental factors:
– Poor diet
– Exposure to certain toxic chemicals

Pathologies:
– Jaw cyst
– Bone diseases such as osteoporosis

 

3. Types of teeth that often grow crooked

Although any tooth can become impacted, certain types of teeth are more prone to this problem:

Wisdom teeth (tooth number 8):
– The most common type of impacted teeth
– Usually grows at the age of 17-25
– Can grow horizontally, diagonally or upside down

Canine (tooth number 3):
– Common in children and adolescents
– Can grow on the upper or lower jaw
– Affects facial aesthetics

Front teeth:
– Less common but still possible
– Usually due to trauma or cysts
– Greatly affects the aesthetics of the smile

Premolars (teeth number 4 and 5):
– Can grow wild due to lack of space
– Often found in people with small jaws

Second molar (tooth number 7):
– Less common but still possible
– Usually due to lack of space or growing too late

4. Signs of impacted teeth

Early recognition of the signs of impacted teeth helps in timely intervention and avoid complications. Here are the signs to watch out for:

Pain and discomfort:
– Pain in the jaw area, especially when chewing
– Feeling of discomfort and tension in the jaw bone
– Unexplained headaches or earaches

Swelling and inflammation:
– Red and swollen gums in the area where teeth are growing
– Small pimples may appear on the gums
– Swelling of the cheek or jaw on the affected side

Difficulty chewing:
– Pain when biting or chewing food
– Difficulty opening mouth wide
– Feeling of entanglement when eating

Changes in teeth and gums:
– The adjacent teeth are pushed out of alignment.
– Abnormal spaces appear between teeth
– Gums that are sunken in where the tooth should have grown

Bad breath:
– Unusual and persistent odor
– Due to bacteria accumulating in the area where the teeth grow in.

Other symptoms:
– Mild fever in some cases
– Difficulty swallowing or speaking
– Feeling of foreign object in mouth

 

5. Harmful effects of impacted teeth

If not treated promptly, impacted teeth can cause many harmful effects:

Pain and discomfort:
– Prolonged pain, affecting daily life
– Difficulty eating, drinking and talking

Infection:
– Gingivitis around impacted teeth
– Tooth abscess, can spread causing maxillofacial infection

Effects on other teeth:
– Pushing the adjacent teeth out of alignment
– Causes crowding and misalignment of the entire jaw
– Erosion of adjacent teeth

Cyst formation:
– Cysts can develop around impacted teeth.
– Causes jaw bone loss, weak bones

Bite problems:
– Crowded teeth can affect the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
– Causes temporomandibular joint problems

Aesthetic impact:
– Change the shape of the face
– Affects smile, reduces confidence

Serious complications:
– Jaw fracture (rare)
– Affects nerves, causing numbness in the facial area

6. Treatment for impacted teeth

Treatment for impacted teeth depends on the severity and location of the tooth. Here are some common treatments:

Watch and wait:
– Applicable for mild cases
– The doctor will check regularly to make sure the teeth do not cause problems.

Gingivectomy:
– Apply when the tooth is almost grown
– Cut off the gum covering the tooth to help the tooth grow naturally

Tooth extraction:
– The most popular method, especially with wisdom teeth
– Completely remove impacted teeth

Impacted tooth surgery:
– Applicable for teeth growing deep in the jawbone
– Surgery is required to remove the tooth.

Orthodontics:
– Pull teeth back into the correct position with orthodontic appliances
– Often combined with surgery to create space

Dental implants:
– For important teeth like canines
– Move impacted teeth to the correct position on the jaw

Combination treatment:
– Combine multiple methods for optimal results
– Example: combined orthodontic surgery

7. How to prevent impacted teeth

Although it is not possible to completely prevent impacted teeth, you can reduce your risk by:

Regular dental check-ups:
– Check every 6 months to detect problems early
– Take regular X-rays to monitor tooth development

Baby teeth care:
– Keep baby teeth until they fall out on their own.
– Avoid losing baby teeth early, causing permanent teeth to shift

Early orthodontic treatment:
– Early intervention to create space for teeth to grow
– Adjust the jaw structure if necessary

Proper diet:
– Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D for the development of teeth and bones
– Limit hard, chewy foods that can affect the position of teeth.

Proper oral hygiene:
– Brush your teeth properly and use dental floss.
– Helps gums stay healthy, creating conditions for teeth to grow normally

Avoid bad habits:
– Do not suck your fingers or push your tongue against your teeth.
– Avoid grinding teeth and biting nails

Track your child's development:
– Pay attention to your baby's teething time.
– Intervene early if you see any unusual signs.

8. Oral care when teeth grow inward

When teeth become impacted, proper oral care is important to relieve pain and prevent complications:

Thorough oral hygiene:

– Brush your teeth at least twice a day
– Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
– Pay attention to cleaning the impacted tooth area.

Salt water gargle:

– Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water
– Rinse mouth 2-3 times/day to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria

Use mouthwash:

– Choose alcohol-free products to avoid irritation.
– Rinse your mouth after brushing for extra cleaning.

Gum massage:

– Use clean fingers to gently massage the painful gum area
– Helps relieve pain and stimulate blood circulation

Use pain relieving gel:

– Use gel containing benzocaine or lidocaine
– Apply to sore gums to relieve discomfort

Ice pack:

– Place an ice pack on the cheek outside the painful area.
– Helps reduce swelling and numb pain

Avoid hard, chewy foods:

– Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods
– Avoid food that can get stuck in the impacted tooth area.

Drink enough water:

– Keep your mouth moist to prevent infection.
– Helps wash away bacteria and food debris

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol:

– These substances can slow down the healing process.
– Increased risk of infection

Follow your doctor's instructions:

– Follow the post-treatment instructions correctly.
– Take medication as prescribed if prescribed.

9. Frequently asked questions about impacted teeth

Question 1: Will impacted teeth heal on their own?

Answer: In some mild cases, teeth can self-correct and grow normally. However, most cases of impacted teeth require medical intervention to avoid complications.

Question 2: Do all wisdom teeth grow in crooked?

Answer: Not all wisdom teeth grow in impacted. However, due to their location at the back of the jaw, wisdom teeth are at a higher risk of becoming impacted than other teeth.

Question 3: Is it painful to remove impacted teeth?

Answer: The process of removing impacted teeth is usually done under anesthesia so you will not feel any pain. However, after the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some pain and discomfort for a few days.

Question 4: Can impacted teeth be prevented?

Answer: It is not possible to completely prevent impacted teeth, but the risk can be reduced by regular dental check-ups, proper care of baby teeth, and early orthodontic intervention if necessary.

Question 5: Do impacted teeth affect overall health?

Answer: Impacted teeth, if left untreated, can cause problems such as infection, prolonged pain, affect eating and in rare cases, can lead to serious, widespread infections.

Question 6: Is it necessary to extract all impacted teeth?

Answer: Not all impacted teeth need to be extracted. The decision to extract a tooth depends on the severity, location of the tooth, and the symptoms it causes. Your dentist will evaluate each specific case to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Question 7: After treatment for impacted teeth, how long does it take to fully recover?

Answer: Recovery time after impacted teeth treatment depends on the treatment method and the specific condition of each person. Typically, symptoms of pain and swelling will gradually subside within 3-7 days. However, the complete healing process can take from 2 to 4 weeks.

10. Conclusion

Impacted teeth are a common dental problem but can cause many inconveniences and complications if not detected and treated promptly. Understanding the causes, signs and treatment methods of impacted teeth will help you take the initiative in taking care of your oral health.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits, regular dental checkups, and a healthy diet will help reduce your risk of developing impacted teeth.

If you suspect you have a problem with impacted teeth or have any questions regarding your oral health, please do not hesitate to use the “ASK A QUESTION” form on our website. Our dentists will be happy to advise and answer your questions.

Finally, try the “DENTAL QUIZ” on the website to test and improve your knowledge about dental care! Wishing you always have healthy teeth and a bright smile!