All About Impacted Wisdom Teeth -> Humans have two sets of teeth-primary teeth and the permanent teeth. Eruption and shedding time varies in both dentitions. Mandibular permanent central incisors and the maxillary and mandibular permanent first molars are the first to erupt in the oral cavity.
Third molars commonly called as wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the oral cavity. They erupt in the oral cavity in about 17-25 years of age group.
Eruption time of third molars in different races, such as in Nigerian population mandibular third molars may erupt as early as 14 years and in Europian population, they erupt up to the age of 26 years. In some cases, these teeth remain unerupted.
It’s not always important that every individual will experience wisdom teeth pain and in some it remains unnoticed. In some individuals, it might not be present or in some individuals, it might remain impacted, some of them are positioned correctly in the oral cavity and in some cases they are malpositioned.
Here is the picture of the various pattern of the eruption of wisdom teeth.
It’s always better to consult a dentist and get an OPG done, so that dentist can guide you.
NOW QUESTION ARISES WHAT IS THE MEANING OF IMPACTED TEETH?
Tooth impaction is a pathological condition where a tooth fails to erupt in its normal occlusal position. Impacted third molars are commonly encountered in routine dental practice. The impaction rate is higher for third molars when compared with other teeth. Recently researchers have found that the females have a higher incidence of mandibular third molar impaction as compared to males.
CAUSES OF UNERUPTED (IMPACTED) TEETH
THERE ARE VARIOUS CAUSES OF UNERUPTED (IMPACTED) TEETH IN THE ORAL CAVITY.
- Difficulty in the eruption of teeth. Either it is because of irregularly placed adjacent teeth or because of the density of the overlying and surrounding bone.
- Insufficient amount of space for the eruption of the teeth.
- Ankylosis of teeth.
- Overretained deciduous teeth.
- Nonabsorbing alveolar bone.
- Ectopic position of tooth bud.
- Trauma
- Various habits involving tongue, thumb, cheek or pencil etc.
- Hereditary: At times attributes to some cases. Prenatal or the postnatal.
Some patients experience pain, difficulty in opening mouth, mastication(chewing), paraesthesia of lip, swelling of face and enlargement of lymph nodes etc.
AGAIN I repeat –Just because you are in the age of having your wisdom teeth it doesn’t mean that it will be painful, there are some blessed individuals too. You never know you might be the one on the list. In such cases, there is plenty of space in the oral cavity for the eruption of wisdom teeth.
At times impacted or partially erupted third molars(wisdom teeth) may become infected, leading to pericoronitis (It’s just the inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the crown area of partially erupted tooth (gingiva). The most common cause is the inability to maintain to brush teeth.
Because of inability to brush teeth there occurs accumulation of bacteria),dental caries distal to the adjacent tooth or in the partially erupted third molar itself, cyst and tumour formation like dentigerous cyst, most commonly seen cyst associated with unerupted third molars, periodontitis due to inability to maintain oral hygiene or the root resorption of the adjacent tooth. Cellulitis or the osteomyelitis may be reported in some cases if left untreated.
HOW TO MANAGE ???
The treatment plan depends upon the chief complaint and the history of the patient, the radiographic evaluation, the diagnosis, and the prognosis.If there is sufficient room in the oral cavity for the eruption of third molar Then it’s Excellent!!!!If not then it’s always better to get it off.
In case if you don’t then it might affect the adjacent teeth or there may be more chances of dental caries or crowding of teeth may occur.
As said – PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.
Its always better to consult a dentist after every 6 months. So, that the dentist can help you to get into havoc. If the dentist suspects such thing he/she will advise you to get it off before root formation starts. In that case, extraction will be easier and recovery will be fast.
POST EXTRACTION WHAT TO DO?
It will take approximately 1 week to heal.
1) Immediately after extraction, it is always advised that the individual should bite on the wet gauze pad for 45-60 minutes.
2) Avoid hot drinks and food.
3) In case swelling occurs, ice bags should be given for 30 minutes over that area.
4) Chew on the opposite side, avoid hard food.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS?
- Rinse with warm saline water gently 2-3 times a day after first 24 hours.
- Start to eat, brush and floss slowly.
- While sleeping it is advised to keep your head elevated.- Never let your head drop below your heart for the first three days
- Continue the medication for 3-5 days.
UNDERSTAND THE HEALING PROCESS!!
- There may occur swelling as a response to extraction and you will face pain.That’s very much normal thing so, Don’t worry it will subside after about 2-3 days.
- There may occur bleeding. If it’s excessive then consult a dentist.
- Don’t disturb the clot that will be formed in a day or two. Clotting is a necessary step towards healing and disturbing the clot may lead to prolonged pain and infection.
- After next 10 days there occurs epithelial cell layer formation.
- At last, there occurs bone deposition. This process begins along the walls of the socket and continues towards the center. This will, in turn, close the space created after extraction.
VARIOUS HOME REMEDIES!!
Various home remedies that are effective in relieving pain includes warm saline rinses, cold packs, tea bags, clove, peppermint and cucumber slices.These remedies are a temporary treatment of choice but for permanent treatment for third molar pain, one should consult a nearby dentist.
BECAUSE HAPPY FACES HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL SMILE
This article is written By Dr. Namita Sepolia 🙂 For More Info Click On Author profile.
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