Hello, this is Dr. Jamali at OMS of NY. I'm here to answer some of the most common questions asked about impacted teeth.
What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth is when you don't see the tooth. It's under the gums and under the bone.
What causes a tooth to become impacted?
Causes of tooth impaction include the age of the patient, the length of the jaw, the volume of the bone, the available space, and crowding.
What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?
Impacted wisdom teeth, or any tooth, generally don't have symptoms. They're usually painless unless they become infected or cause a cyst.
How can an impacted tooth affect oral health if left untreated?
Impacted teeth can affect oral health by damaging adjacent teeth or roots, or they may not cause any issues. They may also cause cysts or tumors in the jaw. If you have any impacted tooth, you should have a panoramic X-ray taken by your dentist or oral surgeon at least every five years.
What is the difference between a partially erupted impacted wisdom tooth and a fully impacted tooth?
The difference is that a partially erupted tooth is visible in the mouth, with a corner showing somewhere. A fully bony impaction means the tooth is completely covered by bone, with no part visible.
How are impacted wisdom teeth diagnosed and what does a severely impacted wisdom teeth X-ray show?
Diagnosis of fully bony impacted teeth is made by a cone beam scan, which is a 3D scan, or a panoramic X-ray. The X-ray shows the tooth completely under the bone and whether it damages adjacent structures.
What are the treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth?
The treatment option for an impacted wisdom tooth is to leave it alone if it's not damaging adjacent teeth or has no pathology. If the surgeon feels the tooth may cause future damage, it is surgically removed.
How does the removal process for impacted wisdom teeth work?
The removal process usually involves IV sedation for the patient. Once the patient is asleep, local anesthesia is provided. The gums are opened, bone over the tooth is removed, and the tooth is sectioned and taken out. Stitches are then placed and usually fall out after two weeks.
What is the cost of impacted wisdom tooth removal and does insurance cover it?
The cost varies depending on the level of impaction. Insurance typically covers 50 to 80% of the fee, with the patient responsible for co-pays.
What should patients expect during and after impacted tooth removal?
During the removal, patients can expect relaxation and sleep under IV sedation. Afterward, they may experience soreness for a couple of days, swelling, tenderness, and bruising, depending on age and other factors.
What is an impacted canine tooth and how is it treated?
An impacted canine tooth, or eye tooth, is important and can be impacted due to narrow jaws or lack of space for eruption. It usually erupts around ages 11 or 12. If impacted, the baby tooth is retained. Typically, an orthodontist refers the patient to a surgeon to expose the tooth, and then the orthodontist uses a chain to slowly bring it down.
How do horizontal impacted wisdom teeth differ from other impactions?
A horizontally impacted wisdom tooth is positioned in the bone. If this is the adjacent tooth, the wisdom tooth is horizontally impacted and not visible. Other types of impaction include mesioangular impaction, where the wisdom tooth is angled or uprighted.
Thank you for listening. I hope I've answered some questions about tooth impaction. If you have any other questions, please visit www.omsofny.com or call (332) 244-0554.