Impacted Teeth At Boulder Canyon Dental
Hi, I'm Dr. Amy here at Boulder Canyon Dental, and today I'm going to answer some common questions we get about impacted teeth.
What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth is simply a tooth that is stuck underneath bone tissue or just tissue. It could be caused by many different reasons, but it's not able to erupt into the mouth and be used for chewing.
What causes a tooth to become impacted?
There can be many causes for a tooth to become impacted. Most commonly, it's simply a lack of space for that tooth to come in. It could also be from keeping the baby teeth in too long. If you have a child and you notice their tooth is loose, always encourage them to wiggle that tooth.
What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth could have a variety of symptoms ranging from absolutely none to swelling, jaw pain, and earaches. It really depends on the position of the tooth, how close it is to the nerve, and how far down it is impacted.
What happens if an impacted tooth is left untreated?
If left untreated, an impacted tooth can affect oral health either not at all or very severely. It all depends again on the position of that tooth. Teeth that are fully impacted in bone generally cause zero issues. It's the ones that we see partially erupted or only underneath the tissue that could cause cavities or periodontal disease for the teeth around them.
What is the difference between a partially and fully impacted wisdom tooth?
The difference between a partially impacted wisdom tooth and a fully impacted wisdom tooth is how much of that tooth is really covered. A fully impacted wisdom tooth is completely sealed off in bone, whereas a partially erupted one may show a portion of the tooth when you're looking in the back of your mouth.
How is an impacted wisdom tooth diagnosed?
Impacted wisdom teeth are generally diagnosed through X-rays, most commonly the panoramic image, which is that big machine that goes all the way around your head and shows the whole jawbone in the image.
What are the treatment options for an impacted wisdom tooth?
The treatment options for an impacted wisdom tooth range from nothing to removal. Occasionally, if a tooth is sitting really close to a nerve, we would just cut off the top portion of the tooth and then seal that off from the mouth. That way, there's no post-op pain or discomfort, and that root just sits there causing no issues, similar to your bone.
What is the removal process for an impacted wisdom tooth?
The removal process for an impacted wisdom tooth from a patient's standpoint is pretty simple. You are completely numb for the procedure. The dentist will access by either removing the bone or the tissue that's covering the tooth, removing the tooth, placing something down to heal, either a bone or collagen plugs, depending on the severity of the impaction, and then sealing that off. You should anticipate some swelling and soreness afterward and not feel like eating a giant sandwich or really crunchy bread for a couple of days.
What is the cost of impacted wisdom tooth removal?
The cost of impacted wisdom tooth removal ranges based on how impacted the tooth is, where it's positioned, and what sedation options the patient is looking for. It could be anywhere from $500 to $2500 depending on these factors. Dental insurance tends to cover a large portion of that, so it's important to look into your benefits and work with an office that will maximize those benefits for you.
What is an impacted canine tooth?
An impacted canine tooth is similar to an impacted wisdom tooth. The canine is just the largest eye tooth in the corner of the mouth. Often, especially if there's a lack of space during growth, these can get angled up and stuck under your nose. If we catch it early, it's easily treated with orthodontic wires. We just access it, place a bracket, and pull it back down into place. If it's not caught early and it's left up there, then you have other options, including implant placement through that canine.
What is a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth?
A horizontally impacted wisdom tooth means that tooth is completely laying down instead of being upright. These are typically more aggressive and will partially poke out. We tend to recommend removal of those, but it's all dependent on the specific patient and what the X-ray image shows us.
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (970) 514-0662 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!