Most wisdom teeth erupt without causing any damage, but in a small number of cases a tooth may come through incorrectly, leading to pain and infection.
In these cases the best thing to do is to remove the tooth before it causes any lasting damage.
Causes of an impacted wisdom tooth
Partial bony impaction: In some cases, only part of the tooth is able to erupt and generally this involves the crown portion on the tooth making its way through the gums, with the tooth pointing forward. The main damaging effect of partial bony impact is pericoronitis, when the tissue covering the tooth forms into a pocket, which then becomes infected. If this happens, it is best to have the tooth extracted.
Complete bony impaction: The tooth may also be entirely covered in bone and upon trying to erupt becomes enveloped in a sac, which can then turn into a cyst. This can be especially damaging to the jawbone, so it is important to have it removed.
Reasons to have a wisdom tooth removed
- To prevent the spread of infection from the damaged tooth.
- To stop damage to the teeth next to the eruption site.
- To prevent cysts, which could cause serious damage to the jawbone.
Wisdom tooth removal may cause some swelling and short-term pain and there is the chance of infection if the gums are not kept in a good condition, but when you think about what could happen, a tooth extraction is definitely the best option.
If you are suffering with continual pain with your wisdom tooth, regardless of whether they have just begun to erupt or continue to bother you, please get in touch with the practice to discuss wisdom tooth extraction.
