If You Don’t Remove Impacted Teeth
For those who don't know, an impacted tooth is that tooth that has developed, but failed to erupt in the expected time for the birth of that particular tooth. That is, it exists, but it cannot be seen with the naked eye. That's because it's located inside the bone and covered by the gum. Most teeth erupt from the gums during childhood and adolescence, except the wisdom teeth, which usually erupt between the ages of 16 and 20. Although impacted wisdom teeth are the most common, this situation can also happen with the lower premolars and upper canines.
Factors that prevent tooth eruption
Most of the time, teeth remain impacted due to the lack of space in the dental arcade. Another factor that keeps impacted teeth “hidden” is possible inadequate positioning in the arch. Teeth can be lying down or crooked inside the gum, which makes their eruption impossible. Some experts believe that hereditary issues and childhood trauma may also have something to do with this lack of eruption.
How to know if your tooth is impacted
Panoramic radiography (X-rays) is the best way to assess your situation. If you experience severe pain and swelling in any region of your mouth for no apparent reason, you might have an impacted tooth.
There is the case where you might have an impacted tooth and not feel any discomfort. This is when you must pay attention to your age and if your teeth haven’t fully erupted after adolescence, you might have impacted teeth. In any of these cases, it is advisable to seek out a dentist who specializes in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology. In addition to examining the site, your dentist will request additional tests to assess the case and the best treatment.
Panoramic radiography is usually the most used method. This is because, through it, it is possible to visualize the entire face and, consequently, the size, shape and position of the impacted tooth. This type of x-ray also allows the practitioner to assess how close the third molars are to the nerves.
The main complications
It is important to note that it is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the impacted tooth will cause complications, as each case is different. But the most common thing is that the tooth in this situation harms its neighboring teeth. That's because it can end up reabsorbing the root of this tooth and causing cavities, which can eventually result in tooth loss. Another oral alteration that can happen is pericoronitis, an inflammatory process. It is usually caused by the difficulty in maintaining proper oral hygiene, as the location is difficult to access. Although not as common, this condition can even result in cysts (also called cysts) or tumors. These are cases that may end up demanding a larger and more complex surgery, including sedation, as it is possible to have jaw fractures, hemorrhages, among other issues.
If you or particularly your child has not seen all adult teeth erupt, it is important to visit your dentist, who will be able to diagnose your issue and treat the problem. With impacted teeth, the earlier the diagnosis, the better, so see your dentist soon!