When individuals have impacted wisdom teeth, it can cause pain in the back of the mouth where the tooth is located. To relieve the pain and prevent future teeth problems, individuals should contact a dentist who performs Oral Surgery in Ann Arbor MI. Since the tooth has failed to erupt through the gums, it’s necessary to have surgery to remove the tooth. Read the three questions and answers below to learn more about impacted wisdom teeth and surgery.
What does it mean to have an impacted wisdom tooth and what causes this condition?
When a tooth is impacted, it means the tooth was unable to erupt into the correct position in the mouth. When this occurs, the tooth is usually erupting at an angle and begins to press on the adjacent tooth, causing pain. Many impacted wisdom teeth are not even visible at the gumline because they’ve erupted sideways in the mouth. The reason why wisdom teeth become impacted is due to a lack of room in the jaw for the teeth to erupt as they should.
If the wisdom tooth isn’t painful is it necessary to have it removed?
Some impacted wisdom teeth aren’t painful, but they often become painful in the future if they’re not removed. Individuals who decide against surgery for impacted wisdom tooth removal often experience tooth problems at a later date. Because the impacted tooth isn’t erupting properly, it can cause damage to the bordering tooth, the jawbone, and the sensory nerves. If damage does occur due to the impacted tooth, additional dental work will be necessary, and the damage may be permanent.
Is there a certain age when individuals should have their wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth usually start erupting when an individual is between 17 and 25 years of age. To prevent future problems and, possibly, a painful tooth, it’s recommended that a dentist performs Oral surgery in Ann Arbor MI to remove the wisdom teeth as soon as possible.
To get relief from painful wisdom teeth, contact Washtenaw General Dentistry Associates to schedule an appointment. A dental specialist at this Ann Arbor clinic can perform oral surgery to remove the impacted tooth.
