IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR TEETH (WISDOM TEETH)

Wisdom tooth is the third molar tooth which generally erupts in an adult during the late teens or early twenties . It is called as “Impacted tooth” when it fails to erupt into the dental arch. Teeth may become impacted because of adjacent teeth, dense overlying bone, excessive soft tissue ,  genetic abnormalities, etc. But most common cause of impaction is inadequate arch length and space in which it erupts.

CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACTED TEETH:

• Impacted teeth always have a difficult access for proper cleaning and maintenance.
• It leads to accumulation of food particles and dental plaque around the impacted tooth which can cause gum infections or decay.
• Pain and swelling occur around the gums or jaws in the region of a wisdom tooth that radiates to the forehead or ears.
• Not only the impacted teeth get affected, it also damages the neighbouring second molar by accumulating the food in between these teeth.
• In some instances, jaw joint pain, cyst or tumour around the impacted teeth can occur.
• Can contribute to relapse after braces treatment.
  

TREATMENT

Now a days 80% of people have impacted wisdom teeth that are not in proper position. When it causes discomfort, pain or swelling, People generally tend to use warm salt water gargle, antibiotics and pain killers. These measures gives only temporary relief but the permanent solution is removal of wisdom teeth . It is not necessary to remove a wisdom teeth when the

• Tooth is fully erupted with proper occlusion
• Have adequate access for cleaning and maintenance
• Healthy

Contradicting to its name, wisdom teeth doesn’t contribute to wisdom of human beings. Removing it in correct time depicts the wisdom of us .

Regular dental visits allow your dentist to evaluate your wisdom teeth and your overall dental health.