Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you have wisdom teeth that are fully or partially trapped beneath your gums, they are called impacted wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are some of the most commonly impacted teeth, and impaction can cause a host of oral health problems. While the reason a tooth becomes impacted is can sometimes be unclear, the fact that wisdom teeth are so large can be a contributing factor. Your wisdom teeth are the last to grow in, and many times there is not enough room for them to erupt fully. In other cases, tumors or other unusual growths can block the growth track of your wisdom teeth.

No matter what the cause, removing impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible is critical to maintaining a healthy mouth. If you do not remove impacted wisdom teeth early, they are susceptible to the accumulation of germs and bacteria and the development of cysts, tumors, and infections in both the gums and jaw bone. If you need wisdom teeth removal in East Texas, the staff and oral surgeons at Southern Surgical Arts in Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX, is the premier surgical team for you.

Wisdom Teeth Complications

In the beginning, your impacted teeth may not have any painful or uncomfortable symptoms — that’s why it’s so important to have regular exams with your dentist, who will be able to detect wisdom teeth before they start to emerge. If your impacted wisdom teeth begin to develop more fully, you may experience some of the following issues:

• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Infections
• Cysts and tumors
• Bone damage

How to Prevent Impacted Teeth

The best way to prevent impaction and the other complications is to have regular examinations with your general dentist, especially during the mid-teen years as the wisdom teeth become more fully developed. Dentists and oral surgeons alike recommend undergoing a dental examination and cleaning twice a year (every six months). This routine will allow your dentist to track the development of your wisdom teeth and refer you to an oral surgeon before serious problems start to develop. Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your back teeth every day can also help prevent dental infections to some extent, but in cases of impacted teeth, it can be extremely difficult or even impossible to clean the pockets between the gums and back teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX

If your wisdom teeth become painful or impacted, the team at Southern Surgical Arts can help. Our oral surgeons, Drs. Stone, Stone, and Barker, have years of experience extracting wisdom teeth, and they will be happy to help you improve your oral health and preserve your smile for years to come.