Impacted Teeth Extractions
Impacted Teeth Extractions in Vienna, VA
What is an impacted tooth?
Impacted teeth are teeth that have failed to erupt into the mouth or have only partially erupted. They are stuck between the gum tissue and bone or between other teeth. Impacted teeth cause problems because they can damage remaining teeth, gum tissue, and bone. A dental cleaning is difficult when the tooth is impacted, leading to a decayed tooth and infection. Impacted teeth usually occur when there is not enough space in the mouth for the tooth to erupt correctly. They can also be caused by genetics, crowding of the teeth, or due to the presence of a cyst of tumor.
Impacted teeth often do not cause symptoms, but they can cause pain if they become infected or damage adjacent teeth.
If you develop an infected tooth, you might start to notice some of these symptoms:
- pain or swelling in the jaw
- red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
Common Tooth Extractions
Dental impactions are more common in wisdom teeth, but they can occur in any tooth. Other teeth, such as canines and premolars, can become impacted, and you may need to have that tooth extracted.
Canine Tooth Extractions
Impacted canine teeth are the second common type of impacted tooth. They are not typically extracted but a procedure called expose and bond is performed in order to bring the canine teeth into its natural position. However, in certain cases, the canine teeth are extracted especially if they are in difficult aberrant positions such as under the nose , in the sinus or on the roof of your mouth, because they can damage adjacent natural teeth by pushing on them. Impacted canine teeth can also cause crowding of the other natural teeth in the mouth. This crowding can cause dental problems such as difficulty cleaning the teeth and an increased risk of cavities.
Premolar Extractions
Impacted premolars are challenging to clean and can contribute to gum disease. They may also damage surrounding teeth or cause them to become infected and are often extracted to prevent these problems. They can also damage adjacent teeth by pushing them out of alignment or trapping bacteria between the teeth and gums, which can also cause an infection and tooth decay.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems than other impacted teeth because they are larger and more likely to damage adjacent teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are also associated with dental cysts and sometimes with tumors. In cases of trauma to the jaw, impacted wisdom teeth can serve as a site of weakness and sometimes a jaw fracture can occur along the impacted wisdom tooth site since this is an area of weakness in the jaw bone. A wisdom tooth extraction is typically done in young adults before they cause problems. Most people will remove wisdom teeth even if they are not impacted because it is easier to maintain good oral hygiene. .
Recovering from Tooth
Extraction
After your extraction procedure, it is essential to follow our oral surgeon’s instructions for recovery. This will help you heal properly and prevent infection.
- You can expect some bleeding and swelling after the procedure. To reduce bleeding, bite on a gauze pad for 30 minutes.
- To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress to your face for 15 minutes every hour.
- You should also take it easy for the first 24 hours after your procedure. Avoid strenuous activity and do not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.
- You can eat and drink immediately after your procedure but stick to soft foods for the first day or two. Gradually add more solid foods back into your diet as you heal.
