Impacted Tooth Extraction
Impacted tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed when a tooth does not fully erupt into the jawbone or develops in an incorrect position. Although this condition is most commonly seen in wisdom teeth, canine teeth and other teeth can also remain impacted. Impacted teeth can put pressure on surrounding tissues over time, causing pain, infection and tooth alignment problems. For this reason, we generally recommend early diagnosis of such teeth and surgical removal if necessary.
Impacted tooth extraction is a procedure carefully planned and performed by a specialist dentist or jaw surgeon.
What is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is completely or partially stuck in the jawbone or under the gums and cannot come out normally. This situation usually occurs because the tooth cannot find enough space. The main reasons that prevent the tooth from coming out include a narrow jaw structure, genetic factors, incorrect positioning of other teeth, or milk teeth that do not fall out early. Impacted teeth can lead to various health problems over time, so it is important to treat such teeth.
Types of Impacted Teeth:
- Fully Impacted Teeth: These types of teeth remain completely in the jawbone and cannot reach the gums. They can often cause pain or inflammation, but sometimes they may not show any symptoms.
- Partially Impacted Tooth: Although a portion of the tooth has come out of the gum, it cannot fully replace it. This condition usually leads to inflammation of the gums around the tooth and can cause pain.
- Sideways or Reverse Impacted Tooth: These types of teeth grow at an incorrect angle in the jawbone and cannot develop in the correct direction. Teeth growing in a sideways or reverse position can put pressure on other surrounding teeth, causing them to shift or become damaged.
What are the Symptoms of Impacted Teeth?
Embedded teeth do not always cause symptoms, but in many cases, various symptoms can occur. These symptoms usually occur as a result of the tooth not coming out correctly and putting pressure on the surrounding tissues. Common symptoms include severe or mild pain in the area where the tooth is located. This pain may be due to inflammation of the gums or the tooth growing in the wrong position.
In addition, swelling and tenderness in the gums around the impacted tooth are also common symptoms. The swelling may occur due to the risk of infection or the tooth’s relationship with the jawbone. Pain in the jaw area can sometimes radiate, such as headaches and earaches, because the nerves in these areas can be close to each other and interact. The failure of the tooth to come out can cause difficulty in opening the mouth, which can cause discomfort while eating or speaking.
In addition, an impacted tooth can cause bad breath because the area around the tooth can be difficult to clean and bacteria can accumulate. Other symptoms include teeth becoming crooked over time, as an impacted tooth can put pressure on other teeth and affect their alignment.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist to evaluate the situation, as untreated impacted teeth can lead to more serious health problems.
Why is Impacted Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Impacted teeth can sometimes be painless and do not cause any problems. However, most of the time, impacted tooth extraction is necessary in the following cases:
Pain and Discomfort: Impacted teeth can cause pain by putting pressure on the jaw and gums.
Tooth Decay and Infection: Since the tooth under the gum cannot be easily cleaned, an infection can develop as a result of bacterial growth.
Shifting of Teeth: A tooth that emerges in the wrong position can cause crookedness by compressing other teeth.
Cyst and Tumor Risk: Impacted teeth can sometimes cause cysts or tumors to form in the jawbone.
How to Extract an Impacted Tooth?
Impacted tooth extraction is usually performed to solve problems caused by various factors that prevent the tooth from coming out. Impacted tooth extraction can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition. Anesthesia ensures that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. The extraction process consists of several stages…
Extraction Process:
- Examination and X-Ray: Your dentist will first examine you and evaluate the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues. X-rays are taken to determine the exact position of the tooth and how it should be removed. This imaging provides information about the condition of the jawbone, the roots of the tooth, and the other teeth, thus helping the surgeon make the right plan.
- Anesthetic Application: Anesthesia is applied so that you do not feel pain during the procedure. Local anesthesia is usually preferred; this only numbs the area being treated. However, in some cases or to make the patient more comfortable, general anesthesia may be applied. Anesthesia ensures that the patient is completely comfortable during the procedure.
- Gum and Bone Incision: In order for the impacted tooth to be removed, the gum tissue on the tooth is carefully cut. If the jawbone around the tooth is not sufficient to free the tooth, some bone may be filed or removed. This procedure is done carefully so as not to damage the tissues around the tooth and to remove the tooth with minimal damage.
- Tooth Removal: The removal of an impacted tooth can vary depending on the size, position, and jaw structure of the tooth. In some cases, the tooth can be removed in one piece, while in other cases, the tooth may need to be broken into smaller pieces. This helps the surgeon remove the tooth safely and without damaging the surrounding tissue.
- Stitching: After the tooth is removed, stitches may be placed to control bleeding in the area and speed up the healing process. Stitches help the gums close and reduce the risk of infection during the healing process. Since the stitches are usually dissolvable, the patient does not need to have another stitch.
After the extraction of an impacted tooth, patients may experience mild symptoms such as pain, swelling and bleeding during the healing process. However, these symptoms usually pass over time. If the extraction of an impacted tooth is done properly, it usually offers a smooth healing process.
Impacted Tooth Extraction Prices
Factors such as the position and size of the tooth, the condition of the jaw structure and the anesthesia method to be used are the main factors affecting the cost of treatment. In addition, the location and expertise level of the clinic or hospital where the treatment will be performed can also affect the prices. In general, the prices of impacted tooth extractions can have a wide price range, from simple extractions performed under local anesthesia to more complex procedures that require surgical intervention.
Therefore, it is important to get a quote and discuss payment options before starting treatment.
