The teeth that have not erupted when they should have and remained under the gum or bone are called impacted teeth.
Wisdom teeth, canines, and premolars can be impacted. When it is determined that they cannot be brought to their places orthodontically (using braces), they should be removed by jaw surgeons.
Wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the mouth. Since they are located at a point that is difficult to reach and see, brushing and caring for them can be more difficult compared to other teeth. Due to insufficient brushing, wisdom teeth easily decay, causing pain and bad breath.
In some cases, wisdom teeth cannot erupt because of the lack of space in the jaws. They can remain fully impacted (not seen in the mouth, staying under both the gum and jawbone), or they can become part of the oral environment by remaining semi-impacted under the gum. In this case, they cause consumed foods to get stuck and accumulate in the area where they erupt, thus causing infection.
Fully impacted wisdom teeth can push the teeth in front of them and create crowdedness (crookedness) in the teeth.
They can cause the decay of neighboring teeth by pressuring them.
Impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to the formation of cysts that reach large sizes within the jaw.
May need extraction for orthodontic treatment to align other teeth properly.
Proper care after impacted tooth extraction is crucial for healing:
Avoid spitting, tooth brushing, vigorous mouth rinsing, using straws, and mouthwash.
Consume warm, non-granular, and soft foods for the first two days after the operation.
Use prescribed painkillers and antibiotics regularly as recommended by your dentist.
Do not smoke for the first 48 hours as it will disrupt the healing process.
After efficient surgery, pain is minimal and easily controlled with mild painkillers.
Apply cold compress in the first 24 hours. Slight swelling is normal and part of healing.