A tooth extraction is always at least a little bit stressful. Our job is to minimize your discomfort and anxiety as much as possible. Part of that is making sure you’re informed about your Westmont tooth extraction before the day of your surgery arrives. Considering what’s involved ahead of time will help you know how to behave during the healing process, and help you ask the questions you have in mind and get constructive answers from your provider.
Certain molars like wisdom teeth are likely to be impacted, or unable to erupt properly from the gum line. Impacted teeth can be painful, problematic to your bite, and disruptive to surrounding teeth. Choosing to extract them will help you move forward and avoid potential dental issues. Learn more about impacted teeth by scrolling down, or find directions from Westmont on this map to better locate our office. The short form below will put you in touch with our front desk so that you can get answers to any questions you have – we’re always here to help!
Do I Have an Impacted Tooth?
If a tooth fails to emerge properly from the gums, it is impacted. It may be partially visible and present in the mouth, or remain completely trapped in your gums. Your dental care provider will notice an impacted tooth, through an exam or with the aid of x-rays. Impacted teeth are common, and not always problematic. But in some cases, they need to be removed for you to feel good and your teeth to function properly and remain healthy.
There are a few reasons why teeth are typically impacted:
- The jaw is overcrowded
- The jaw is too small
- Teeth are twisted or tilted, so they don’t erupt properly
In addition to pushing on adjacent structures, impacted teeth that have only partially emerged are also a big threat because of their likelihood of decay. They can trap food particles and plaque in the surrounding soft tissues, which can lead to inflammation or infection. The tooth is also more difficult to clean properly, so it can develop cavities.
Some signs that your impacted tooth may pose a problem include:
- Prolonged bad breath
- Tender gums or jaws
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Headaches
- Jaw aches
- Swollen, red gums in the area
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
If the impacted tooth in question is a wisdom tooth, extraction is best performed before age 20, as the tooth roots are not fully developed and are straighter.