|
 An
impacted tooth is a tooth that does not erupt into the mouth as it should
normally. It remains fully or partially under the gums due to:
- Misalignment of the teeth
(orthodontics)
- Lack of space for the
teeth
The teeth most likely to be impacted are the third molars
commonly called "wisdom teeth". These teeth normally erupt from
age 17 to 20. There is rarely enough room in jaw bone for these teeth to
come into place properly so the tooth becomes impacted or trapped under the
bone. As a wisdom tooth grows it can cause an ache to the jaw. If this ache
lasts more than a day or two contact the
dentist. An impacted wisdom tooth can become infected. It can also cause
damage to the tooth in front of it as well as damage to the jaw bone.
An x-ray called a panoramic x-ray is
used to diagnose and evaluate the third molars.
 Impacted teeth almost always require extraction. If not removed, an impacted third molar
can cause damage to the tooth in front of it resulting in the loss of both
teeth. This x-ray shows a wisdom tooth damaging the perfectly good tooth in
front of it. An impacted can cause destruction of the jaw bone around the
tooth. If only partially erupted, an impacted tooth can decay while still
under the gum and in the bone, resulting in an abscess
and possible fracture of the mandible.
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