During their late teenage years, most people will start to have a third set of molars come in. These molars, known as wisdom teeth, tend to cause issues with the spacing of your other teeth, which is why dentists often recommend removing them. Occasionally, these molars can be impacted, which is when they don't grow properly. Here is more information about this issue if you are planning to schedule removal soon.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Impaction occurs when the tooth grows in sideways or gets stuck under the gums. These issues prevent it from emerging from the jaw properly, which can lead to discomfort. This often occurs when your jawbone is not large enough to accommodate the new teeth. It can also happen if the back of your mouth is too crowded, which can prevent the molar from erupting.

There are several variations of this complication. The tooth may remain completely blocked under the gums, or it might break through partially. Sometimes, a small jawbone may cause them to grow at a forward or backward angle rather than straight, which can put excess pressure on neighboring teeth. Without prompt removal of the wisdom teeth, this pressure could damage your other molars or cause them to become misaligned. When this happens, you have a higher risk of infection and gum disease, as well as developing oral cysts.

How Can You Spot Impaction?

Impacted wisdom teeth are hard to ignore because they often cause significant, throbbing pain around the impacted tooth. This pain spreads to the jaw and other nearby teeth, as the molar will increase the pressure as it tries to erupt. Since impaction often only occurs on one side, you may have considerable trouble chewing on the affected side. Your gums may also be swollen, red, and inflamed. If you think your tooth is impacted, a dentist can confirm this condition by taking an X-ray of your mouth. Then, during the wisdom teeth removal procedure, they will carefully take out the impacted tooth by cutting the gum to release it.

If your wisdom teeth are growing and you need a caring, compassionate dentist to remove them, contact Clements Family Dentistry in Hamilton, OH. Serving Butler County since 1991, Dr. John A. Clements, DMD and his team treat patients of all ages. They offer both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including veneers, teeth cleaning, and dental implants. Visit them online for more information about their services, and call (513) 887-7027 to schedule an appointment.