1. Impaction
for Wisdom Tooth
Most
of us have two molars (the teeth to the farthest
corner of the mouth) in each of the four quadrants
of the jaw. Wisdom teeth are third molars that
typically appear between the ages of 16 and 24.
However, they may erupt when older, younger, or
not appear at all. Given the fact that these are
the last teeth to emerge, they tend to cause the
most problems by way of irregular or `impacted'
growth. These impactions can be categorized as:
mesioangular impaction (where the wisdom tooth
is angled forward); vertical impaction (where
the tooth does not erupt fully through the gum
line); distoangular impaction (where the tooth
is angled backward), and horizontal impaction
(which occurs when the tooth grows into the roots
of the second molar).
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause discomfort
to start with and end up in a full-blown disease
like pericoronitis. Typical symptoms of wisdom
tooth impaction include swelling, redness and
pain of the gum where the tooth is erupting,
bad odor in the mouth and sometimes even difficulty
in opening the mouth. If ignored and untreated
pericoronitis can lead to a much more severe
infection.
At MMR Clinic, we will provide you with a thorough
check-up and evaluation of your impacted wisdom
tooth/teeth and depending upon the severity
of the case suggest treatment options. Only
if the problem has exacerbated to a level where
there is a potential for serious damage or infection
to the rest of your dental structure, will we
recommend extraction of the wisdom tooth.
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