Extractions
There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and it must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt.
At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth and jaw at risk, so it is advised removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth..
Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, we may recommend you replace the extracted tooth.
Untreated improper bites and crooked teeth can result in a variety of problems, including a better chance of cavities, gum disease, teeth chipping or fracturing, and tooth loss. Unfavorable growth of the jaw can lead to uneven tooth wear and complicated extractions or surgeries.
Wisdom Teeth
Different Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Mesial ImpactionMesial impactions are the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction: the tooth is angled forward towards the front of the mouth and pushes against the molar in front of it.Mesial impactions often lead to a partial eruption, where only part of the crown will erupt past the gums.
Distal ImpactionDistal impactions are rare, and are the opposite of mesial impactions: the tooth’s crown is angled towards the back of the mouth.If the angle is closer to 90 degrees, there is a high chance that the tooth will eventually impact with bone and not erupt correctly. If the angle is closer to 90 degrees, there is a high chance that the tooth will eventually impact with bone and not erupt correctly.
Horizontal IimpactionIt is usually the worst and most painful type of wisdom tooth impaction to have, and is often completely under the surface of the gum and pushed against the molar next to it.
Vertical ImpactionThis is the “best” type of wisdom tooth impaction to have - it is almost a normal orientation and often doesn’t require removal since there is a high chance the tooth will erupt and fit into the mouth without any issues.
Complications of Poor Wisdom Tooth Alignment
Beyond just the unpleasantness of a wisdom tooth infection, there can be other complications and problems that arise from poorly aligned wisdom teeth.
Damage to your other teeth – infection from your wisdom teeth can spread to your other teeth as well as your gums, and this can turn into a significant problem. Additionally, the infection can move to your jaw and other surrounding tissue. In some rare but serious cases, the infection can go into your blood and cause sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection.
Sores in the mouth – when wisdom teeth come in at a bad angle and are prone to infection, they can also cause abrasions in the mouth or gumline that can get infected. These sores or mouth ulcers are painful and make eating, speaking, and even drinking liquid difficult.
Abscess- infections in the gums or in wisdom teeth that spread to the jaw can cause enclosed pouches of pus and fluid. These pockets are incredibly painful and can cause permanent damage to your jaw and teeth. They often require significant surgery to remove Pericoronitis – infection of the gums around the wisdom tooth is called pericoronitis and it’s incredibly painful. In addition to the pain, this disease makes eating – specifically chewing – extremely difficult.