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Impacted Teeth

When the teeth don’t erupt properly, it can cause major issues for patients. Partially erupted teeth affect the smile’s appearance, and they can also cause significant oral health problems.

Removing impacted teeth is more complex than extracting a tooth that has erupted properly. It requires a surgical procedure, and patients must be diligent in following post-extraction instructions to avoid complications.

Our practice can schedule extractions of impacted teeth within a short timeframe. To get started on having your impacted teeth removed, call our office to set up your appointment.

Why do teeth become impacted?

Teeth become impacted if there is not enough room for them to push through the bone and gums to get to their proper location in the smile. This can be due to congenital or developmental issues or because of the size of the teeth or jaw.

The wisdom teeth, which are the largest in the mouth, are at greatest risk for becoming impacted. Fortunately, the wisdom teeth are mainly unnecessary in modern humans, so they can be removed with no significant consequences for the smile’s appearance or functioning.

Other teeth may become impacted as well. For aesthetic and structural reasons, it may be necessary to replace those teeth after they are extracted.

Risks Associated With Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are at risk for many issues that typically aren’t a concern with teeth that erupt properly, such as:

• Cysts
• Tumors
• Infections
• Abscesses
• Discomfort
• Damage to surrounding teeth

These issues can materialize at any time, but they typically can’t be predicted. Therefore, many patients will choose to have impacted teeth surgically extracted to avoid such outcomes.

Furthermore, there may be some additional considerations that compel patients to have impacted teeth removed. For example, the general recommendation is for patients to have their wisdom teeth removed before age 25. After that point, the extraction procedure is more complex and it takes longer to heal.

impacted tooth image | Mid-Cities OMS | Colleyville, TX

Surgical Extraction Of Impacted Teeth

Impacted Tooth Extraction Tools | Mid-Cities OMS | Colleyville, TX

The process of extracting impacted teeth begins with an evaluation and detailed imaging, including x-rays and more advanced tools like cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to help develop a treatment plan that will result in a predictable extraction procedure.

Patients who are having impacted teeth removed have the option to receive both local anesthetic and IV sedation for optimal comfort. The sedation allows patients to remain conscious, although deeply relaxed, throughout the procedure.

Dr. King will remove the bone surrounding the impacted teeth before accessing and removing the tooth itself. Then the extraction site will be sutured when the extraction is complete.

Each denture is custom made for a patient from very exact specifications. It is important that the dimensions of dentures are very precise so that they fit properly, look natural, and feel comfortable.

Preventing Post-Extraction Complications

Because impacted teeth must be removed surgically, the extraction procedure is associated with certain risks. Dr. King will review these potential risks with you thoroughly so that you can make a well-informed treatment decision.

The most common risks following extraction of impacted teeth are dry sockets and infection. Fortunately, it is possible to take steps to minimize those risks. To do so, you should closely follow Dr. King’s post-extraction instructions covering topics such as:

• Cleaning the extraction site
• Avoiding activities that can cause dry sockets (like smoking or using drinking straws)
• Diet
• Activity
• Pain management

You will receive these instructions in writing when you leave our office. If you ever have any questions about them or any aspect of your healing process, don’t hesitate to call us. If it’s after business hours, our answering service will contact our on-call staff member to answer your questions.

Common Questions about Impacted Teeth

What does it mean when a tooth is impacted?

A tooth that is impacted has not pushed through the jaw and gums normally to erupt into its correct position in the smile. It essentially becomes “stuck” in the jaw or the gum tissue.

How do you treat an impacted tooth?

Impacted teeth are usually removed in a surgical extraction that first eliminates the bone tissue surrounding the tooth. If the impacted tooth is in a highly visible location in the smile, Dr. King may collaborate with an orthodontist to develop a treatment plan that incorporates both extraction and re-aligning the smile.

Are impacted teeth dangerous?

Impacted teeth can have serious consequences for a patient’s oral health. For example, they may develop cysts or tumors. It can also be challenging to keep them clean and free from bacteria, posing the risk of infections or even abscesses. Often, the best solution to address impacted teeth is to extract them.

Do impacted teeth have to be removed?

Patients generally choose to have impacted wisdom teeth extracted as a preventive measure that guards against the potential consequences of impacted teeth. However, after your evaluation, Dr. King can advise you about alternatives to extraction for addressing impacted teeth, if those alternatives might be appropriate in your case.