How Serious is an Impacted Tooth?
The term impacted tooth refers to a tooth that fails to erupt properly out of the gum or that comes out only partially, remaining stuck in a gum depression. This condition occurs when the tooth does not emerge into the dental arch on schedule, despite having a perfectly formed root. An impacted tooth can cause problems such as dental malocclusion, mal-positioned teeth, and functional problems that may require orthodontic or surgical treatment.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of an impacted tooth is made by a dentist during an office visit. The practitioner will examine your mouth and dental arches to check for impacted teeth. Also, the dentist will need to check for inflamed tissue in the area of the impacted tooth and see if it is causing pressure on neighboring teeth. A red, sore, and secreted gum could indicate the presence of a dental impact. An x-ray examination, such as an overview or computed tomography, may be needed to view the entire structure of the impacted tooth and determine the extent of the problem.
Causes
Among the various factors that can cause dental impaction, one prevails over the others. If a baby tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to take its place, the permanent tooth may become trapped in the gum as the space vacated by the baby tooth is rapidly filled by surrounding teeth.
The main causes of impacted teeth are:
- Lack of space in the dental arch: When teeth don't have enough space to erupt, they can get stuck within the gums.
- Heredity: Predisposition to impacted teeth can be hereditary and passed from generation to generation.
- Dental malocclusion: When teeth don't line up properly, they can prevent other teeth from erupting.
- Irregular jaw growth: If the jaw grows abnormally, it can cause a lack of space for erupting teeth.
- Trauma to the teeth: Trauma to the mouth, such as a direct blow, can cause tooth growth to be diverted.
- Improper oral habits: Improper oral habits, such as thumb or tongue sucking, can cause dental malocclusion and consequent impaction of teeth.
Dental impaction: classification
Dental inclusions can vary in type and degree, as well as in the age group in which they occur. For example, wisdom teeth can emerge up to age 25 and have varying degrees of inclusion. Not all teeth have the same type of impaction, nor do they appear at the same age. Impacted teeth can be classified based on their location relative to the gums and how they are growing:
- A totally impacted tooth is a tooth that has failed to emerge from the gum and is completely trapped.
- A partially impacted tooth is a tooth that has partially emerged from the gum but is not completely out.
- A permanent dental impaction when the tooth does not emerge from the gum at all and remains trapped for life.
- A temporary dental impaction when the tooth does not erupt in the time frame expected by normal age-based growth, but eventually completes its eruption journey in adulthood.
Impacted teeth can be serious, it depends on any symptoms you have that might cause discomfort, or that make chewing and eating difficult. If you suspect you have an impacted tooth, it is best to speak with your dentist.