Impacted Tooth
Description
Commonly occur when wisdom teeth have difficulty emerging due to an inappropriate size of the jaw leading to the teeth being rotated, displaced, or tilted. Many times no symptoms are experienced. Other times chronic pain, gum swelling and infection occurs.
Symptoms
Bad breath, difficulty opening the mouth, pain or tenderness of the gums (gingiva), prolonged headache or jaw ache, redness and swelling of the gums around the impacted tooth.
Tests
The dentist will look for swollen tissue over the area where a tooth has not emerged, or has only partially emerged. X-rays identify the misaligned teeth.
- X-Ray
Treatment
No treatment may be needed if the impacted tooth is not causing any problems. Acetaminophen(Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Motrin or Advil, naproxen/Naprosyn) may help if the impacted tooth causes discomfort. Removal of the tooth is necessary for persistent symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the tooth is infected.
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