Anna has been experiencing discomfort in her left posterior teeth over the past year, finding it difficult to chew and feeling particularly uncomfortable. It was later discovered that her toothache is caused by her wisdom tooth, #17, which is growing in at an angle and has only partially erupted, with surrounding gum tissue covering three-quarters of the tooth. The gums bleed easily when probed, and there are remnants of food particles that haven’t been properly cleaned. This condition is classified as partially impacted wisdom tooth, primarily due to insufficient space in the jawbone preventing the tooth from erupting properly upright, causing it to grow in at an angle. This can lead to many issues for the tooth next to is, cavities forming from food particles or bacteria harboring in awkward spaces that are hard to clean, and crowding as the other teeth get pushed!
This is why it is recommended that wisdom teeth get extracted. Before extractions, we always take a CT to make sure the lower wisdom teeth aren’t too close to the nerve to insure a safe procedure and minimize the chances of complications or side effects.
This slanted growth pattern can easily exert pressure and damage adjacent teeth. Additionally, being positioned towards the back makes it challenging to clean thoroughly while brushing, potentially leading to tooth decay and gum inflammation, commonly known as pericoronitis around wisdom teeth.
To address this issue, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial. Regular dental check-ups are essential, and it is advisable to schedule wisdom tooth extraction surgery at an appropriate time under the guidance of a dentist.
