Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Springboro & Dayton
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there isn’t enough room for these final molars to fully emerge, often leading to pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.
request an appointmentSigns of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can come in misaligned, facing any direction, and can even grow horizontally into your other teeth. Common signs of impaction include pain at the back of the jaw, swelling, difficulty opening your mouth, and food catching in the gum tissue around a partially emerged tooth. Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, damage to neighboring teeth, and even harm to your jawbone or nerves.
Treating Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Since impacted wisdom teeth are often harmful, removal is typically recommended, especially before symptoms worsen. Our team offers wisdom teeth extractions and, for patients who feel anxious about surgery, IV sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Removal generally goes more smoothly, and recovery is easier, when addressed before problems develop.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a wisdom tooth is impacted?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that doesn’t have enough room to fully emerge or grow in properly, often becoming trapped beneath the gum or growing at an angle.
What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
Symptoms include pain at the back of the jaw, swelling, difficulty opening your mouth, and food getting trapped around a partially emerged tooth.
Do impacted wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
Most impacted wisdom teeth are recommended for removal since they’re prone to causing infection, crowding, or damage to nearby teeth.
At what age should impacted wisdom teeth be removed?
Many patients have impacted wisdom teeth removed as teenagers or in their early twenties, when surgery and recovery tend to be easier.
Is removing impacted wisdom teeth painful?
The procedure is performed under anesthesia or sedation, so you shouldn’t feel pain during surgery. Some soreness during recovery is normal.
What happens if impacted wisdom teeth aren’t treated?
Untreated impaction can lead to infection, crowding, cyst formation, and damage to the roots of neighboring teeth.
