An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not break through the gum properly. In some cases, it may break through onlya woman trying to deal with Impacted Teeth partially, or it may grow incorrectly. In others, it may not emerge at all but instead, be forced to stay below the surface. There are various reasons why this might happen, but tooth impaction is a common problem that requires attention. The dental professionals at Lovett Dental Sharpstown are here to help with impacted teeth removal and treatment.

Causes of Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth may be present in children or adults, but they most often develop during childhood or adolescence. Any tooth that does not emerge, or does not emerge completely, is considered impacted. The most common cause is crowding, which means there is no room in the jaw for teeth to come in as they should. Impaction can also be caused by teeth coming in at the wrong angle. That may be twisted, angled, or displaced, causing them to get stuck in the bone or gum. Canine teeth often become impacted in this way.

Wisdom teeth are some of the most common teeth that become impacted. This happens because, by the time wisdom teeth come in, the jaw has often stopped growing, leaving little room for them to emerge properly. Impacted wisdom teeth may emerge only partially so that just the crown is visible—this is known as partially impacted—or it may be fully impacted, which means it is not visible at all.

Treatment for Impacted Teeth

Treatment for impacted teeth depends on the severity of the problem. If you are experiencing significant pain or other side effects from your impacted teeth, your dentist may recommend oral surgery to remove the impacted teeth. Impacted teeth removal can often be done with minimal discomfort, and extraction will create room so that your other teeth can come in as they should.

Not all impacted teeth need to be removed, and your dentist will go over all your options and answer any questions you may have before moving forward with treatment. In many cases, if you and your dentist can catch impacted teeth early, corrective methods may be possible without a need for oral surgery. Even if no immediate action is necessary, your dentist’s continued monitoring will ensure that you do not develop further issues due to impacted teeth.

Help with Impacted Teeth

Many individuals, for a variety of reasons, have impacted teeth well into adulthood. In some cases, it’s because individuals lacked access to dental care in childhood, and for others, impacted teeth do not begin to cause a problem until later in life. While it is best to seek dental care from a dental professional as soon as impacted teeth develop, it’s also important to remember that it’s never too late to seek help with impacted teeth. In some cases, an impacted tooth may cause no problem at all, but tooth impaction can also lead to a variety of issues, including:

  • Tooth decay within impacted teeth, as well as the surrounding teeth
  • Cavities due to difficulty caring for impacted teeth
  • Nearby teeth becoming misaligned or crowded
  • Pain or difficulty when opening your mouth, chewing, or swallowing (especially with impacted wisdom teeth)
  • Gum diseases such as gingivitis, with symptoms that include red, swollen, or bleeding gums

Schedule an Appointment Now with Lovett Dental Sharpstown

Contact Lovett Dental Sharpstown today at 281-975-5560 to schedule an appointment or ask any additional questions about impacted teeth. To avoid more serious dental problems for yourself or your child, it’s important to seek treatment for impacted teeth as early as possible. We’re proud to offer a complete evaluation and treatment for impacted teeth, allowing us to restore smiles and help our patients avoid complications.