Wisdom teeth are the third sets of molars that typically erupt in your late teens to early twenties. Sometimes, when the jaw is too small to accommodate these third molars, they become impacted. While it’s a common belief that all wisdom teeth need to be removed, that’s not always true. Our dentists in Calgary provide wisdom teeth extractions if your wisdom teeth are causing discomfort and pain.
What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when you don’t have room for them or when they grow in at an angle. When you visit our dental clinic in Calgary for a wisdom teeth extraction consultation, our dentists will take X-rays and examine your teeth to determine if your wisdom teeth will potentially cause problems.
While some patients experience no pain with impacted wisdom teeth, others can experience the following symptoms:
Jaw pain
Bad breath
Swelling around the jaw and gums
Difficulty opening mouth
Bleeding gums
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
If you are experiencing these symptoms with impacted teeth, our dentists in Calgary will likely recommend removing them. Teeth can be impacted in the following six ways:
• Horizontal impaction – the teeth are laying on their side
• Vertical impaction – the teeth erupt straight, but there is not enough room to accommodate them
• Distal impaction – the teeth are tilted towards the back of your mouth
• Mesial impaction – the teeth are angled forward towards the front of the mouth
• Bony impaction – the teeth emerged through the gums, but the tooth is still within the bone
• Soft tissue impaction – the tooth has already erupted through the gum
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause many problems, which include gum infection, cysts, tooth decay, and damage to other teeth. However, if your impacted wisdom teeth are not causing pain and pose no potential threat to damaging your other teeth, you may not need to remove them. If you need to remove your wisdom teeth, our team will explain the whole process and ensure you are comfortable and relaxed. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact our dental clinic in Calgary.
What to Expect When Receiving Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Calgary
Our dentist will examine your teeth, take X-rays and determine if an extraction is an ideal solution for you. If you want to find out if your wisdom teeth should be removed, please contact South Trail Crossing Dental for a consultation.