Do you have a tooth that seems caught under your gum line? Sometimes, you may not know it is there, but it can cause a significant amount of pain. If you have impacted teeth, it is important to have a dentist take a closer look at what is happening and provide you with a higher level of care. Tooth extraction may be necessary in some situations. In other cases, oral surgery may be necessary to remove that tooth and do so safely. At the Dental Center of Norcross, we can provide this type of care for you.
How Do Impacted Teeth Develop?
Impacted teeth often occur when teeth are growing and become exposed. This happens in children but also in adults who are getting their wisdom teeth. While most teeth emerge in the correct position and at the right speed, others do not. They come through at an angle, or they otherwise fail to break through the surface of the gums. As a result of this, you may have significant pain and discomfort. It is important to see a dentist for this condition as it will not get better over time without treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Impacted Teeth?
Some people may not have any symptoms of impacted teeth right away. It only becomes a problem once the teeth start to try to push through, usually between the ages of 18 to 25 for those with wisdom teeth coming in. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bad breath, even after brushing
- Bleeding gums or very tender gums
- Jaw pain
- Swelling in the jaw
- Pain
You may also notice that the impacted tooth is pushing the other teeth around it out of the way. This can create misalignments of the teeth and, over time, can cause significant damage to your existing teeth. For this reason, it is best to have impacted teeth removed before they start to move into place to emerge. This can protect your other teeth from eventual damage.
How Are Impacted Teeth Treated?
Most of the time, our team will encourage you to have these teeth removed as soon as we determine they are present. This is often done with the help of an X-ray, which allows us to see the angle of the tooth and determine the proper method for removing it.
If the tooth has already broken through the gum’s surface, we may be able to use a tooth extraction method to pull the tooth out. This is the fastest way to do this, but it may not always be safe. Tooth extraction may not be possible if the tooth is in pieces or is at a very bad angle.
In those cases, oral surgery may be necessary. Our team can help you with this process as well. The oral surgery will require anesthesia and, once you are asleep, we will perform gum surgery to extract the tooth.
Ensuring Your Teeth Are Cared for Properly
When it comes to impacted teeth or avoiding oral surgery, information is key. That is, you need routine dental appointments to ensure you and your dentist are spotting these problems. Let the team at the Dental Center of Norcross help you with this by reaching out. In addition to treating impacted teeth, we offer a broad range of services, including:
- Family dentistry services
- Dental cleaning services
- Oral cancer screenings
- Dental implant procedures
- Root canal therapy services
Reach Out to the Dental Center of Norcross Today
Impacted teeth can be painful, and they do not get better on their own. However, you do not have to struggle with this condition on your own. Our team at the Dental Center of Norcross can help you with tooth extraction and oral surgery, as well as with your overall oral health. We encourage you to contact us today to learn more about how we can help. Call 678.504.6422 or reach out to us online today.