When wisdom teeth do not have enough room to emerge correctly, they can cause dental problems that range from mild to severe. If you are experiencing teeth crowding or oral pain, you may have one or more impacted wisdom teeth. The common dental problem is easily treatable with tooth extraction. 

If you live in or around Grapevine, TX and have questions about wisdom teeth impaction, Dr. Chris Tye will be glad to answer all of your questions. Dr. Tye will ensure that you are comfortable and informed during your time at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists. Call us today at 817-552-3223.

Causes and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth 

For most individuals, wisdom teeth emerge around the ages of 18 to 23. Due to the location of the third molars in the far back of the jaw, one or more of the teeth can become trapped. If the tooth partially emerges, dentists refer to the tooth as partially impacted. If the molar is unable to emerge, dentists refer to the tooth as fully impacted. 

Most of the patients who seek tooth extraction to address an impacted wisdom tooth are experiencing undesirable symptoms and complications that result from wisdom tooth impaction. Some patients may not notice the condition. During your exam, Dr. Tye may take X-rays or other types of images to confirm if you have an impacted wisdom tooth. 

Dr. Tye may look for the following symptoms:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Crowded teeth
  • Jaw pain
  • Difficulty opening the mouth

An impacted tooth should be treated as an urgent condition. Patients risk developing an abscess or another form of infection. Even if the tooth does not pose a health risk, wisdom teeth can cause dental crowding, which can ruin the cosmetic results of orthodontics. A malpositioned third molar can also lead to higher risks for cavities because the wisdom teeth are more difficult to clean. 

Treatment Options

If a patient has a large enough jaw and if the wisdom teeth erupt fully, tooth extraction may not be necessary. Dr. Tye will provide you with an honest assessment of whether you will need a tooth extraction. If you do undergo a wisdom tooth extraction, the outpatient surgery will be performed with your comfort in mind. 

Dr. Tye typically performs the procedure under fast-acting anesthesia to increase your comfort. The surgery will vary, depending on your needs. An impacted tooth may need to have some bone or gum tissue removed to access the molar. Afterward, patients will be given recovery guidelines and asked to modify their diet for a few days. Dr. Tye can also prescribe medications and provide additional care as needed. You will need to rest for a day or two. Most patients report that their recoveries are much quicker than they expected.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Most people have their wisdom teeth removed when they are young. Once patients reach their 30s or 40s, the procedure can require longer recovery time. If you live in or around Grapevine, TX Dr. Chris Tye will be glad to answer all of your questions about wisdom teeth impaction. Dr. Tye will ensure that you are comfortable and informed during your time at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists. Call us today at 817-552-3223.