Many people assume that if their wisdom teeth don’t hurt, everything is fine. As a result, many people assume there will be no problems with their wisdom teeth if they are healthy. The truth is that wisdom teeth do not always cause pain, and as a result, many people will wait to remove their wisdom teeth until they experience pain.
We often meet with patients who are shocked to find that they have an impacted wisdom tooth because they are not experiencing any swelling or discomfort. Modern imaging techniques, such as 3D scans, allow us to see what is going on with a patient’s wisdom teeth before they exhibit symptoms.
At Clove Dental, we use advanced imaging techniques to view what cannot be seen during a routine exam, which is especially helpful for those considering having their wisdom teeth removal in Riverpark.
What Does “Impacted” Mean?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that does not have the space necessary for proper growth. As a result, an impacted wisdom tooth may-
- Grow at an angle.
- Push against other existing teeth.
- Remain buried beneath the gums.
- Only partially emerge.
In many cases, there will not be any immediate signs of pain for a patient with an impacted wisdom tooth. This is one reason so many patients will delay having their wisdom teeth removed in Riverpark, believing that there is ample time to have the procedure done.
However, even if a person does not have any visible signs or symptoms of impaction, they may still be at a high risk for severe complications later on.
Why Some Wisdom Teeth Stay Silent
Wisdom teeth often develop problems that take months or even longer for them to be noticed; so during this time, the issues can still continue to develop.
There can be many reasons why someone does not experience any of the symptoms outlined below-
- The tooth is impacted; but not yet impacted on a nerve.
- The infection is very mild; or may have just started forming.
- There are no signs of swelling from the infected area.
- The teeth on either side of the tooth have not moved enough to cause discomfort.
These “quiet” times are the period when the issues of the tooth can go unnoticed (unnoticed until it is painful.) By this time the issue is most likely to have already become more complex.
Because of all of these reasons, we recommend that everyone should have an evaluation for wisdom teeth removal in Riverpark without the presence of any signs of discomfort.
What 3D Scans Are Revealing
Traditional x-rays provide some information about the position of the wisdom teeth, but their ability to provide a more accurate view of the anatomy of the teeth is limited to providing only a basic view of the wisdom teeth.
When we take 3-D images of the wisdom teeth, we can accurately measure-
- The angle of the tooth.
- How close to and how much pressure is being put on the nerve.
- How much of an effect will the wisdom tooth have on the other teeth that are next to it.
- Evidence that the tooth has already developed an early infection; or evidence of bone damage has occurred.
Often, there will be examples of problems being identified by 3-D imaging that would have been not detected by traditional x-rays.
An example of this might be the situation where a wisdom tooth may create a slight pressure against the molar next to it. Although the individual is not currently experiencing any discomfort, with time the individual may experience damage to the adjacent, healthy tooth from the pressure the wisdom tooth has placed on it.
Hidden Risks of Ignoring Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Not feeling pain does not mean you won’t have problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Damaged Surrounding Teeth
An improperly positioned wisdom tooth places pressure on teeth next to it, thereby making them shift, loosen or even break.
Infected Gum
If a tooth is partially recovered, there is very little space around the tooth, which results in an accumulation of food and bacteria leading to gum infections.
Cyst Formation
In a small number of cases, a cyst formed from fluid around the impacted wisdom tooth can result in damage to the jawbone.
Bone Loss
Complications are hidden and undetected until they affect nearby bone structure.
Early detection is critical for making the decision to for wisdom teeth removal in Riverpark, as complications will likely develop over a long period.
Final Thoughts
Many people do not realize that they have impacted wisdom teeth because they do not have pain. Often, they are asymptomatic and there is damage done very slowly over time.
3D imaging has improved how we evaluate these situations. It allows you to see what is occurring below the surface so that decisions can be made using documented evidence of problems rather than simply by their symptoms.
Clove Dental Riverpark is here to support you through that evaluation process in a clear, concise manner considering your long-term oral health.