Wisdom teeth are the third molars located in the very back of your teeth. They typically erupt during late teen years and early twenties. Often times, there may not be enough room for your wisdom teeth to break through. They may all come in fully, be partially impacted, or fully impacted. Some of the tooth is visible when it is partially impacted and part of the tooth is still underneath your gums. The tooth is fully impacted if it never erupted through the soft tissue and is not visible.
Impacted wisdom teeth may never show any signs or symptoms and go unnoticed. However, they also can cause a multitude of problems that must be addressed.
Common signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Overcrowded Teeth – making it difficult to clean properly and more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease
- Pain – mild to severe discomfort such as headaches, pain when chewing, tender gums, and difficulty opening your mouth
- Swelling – the soft tissue around the un-erupted tooth or swollen jaw area
- Halitosis (Bad Breath) – typically related to swelling or the inability to properly clean crowded teeth
Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Many times, patients will need to have wisdom teeth extracted under local anesthesia. Sometimes, a simple surgical procedure is needed for impacted wisdom teeth. For dental x-rays and an examination, call Palm Harbor Premier Dental at (727) 349-3615 to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth and to discuss your treatment options.
Our friendly staff is ready to assist you with all of your dental needs. Don’t hesitate to call us for further information, questions and appointment scheduling.
For further reading on impacted wisdom teeth, visit MayoClinic.com.