Impacted wisdom teeth in Cheonan, is extraction necessary? Things to check before the procedure

Hello.
Cheonan/Asan Moon Dental Hospital. Did you know that wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth?
However, if there is not enough space for the wisdom tooth to emerge or if it is angled, it may not emerge properly through the gums and can become impacted inside.

A wisdom tooth that is partially or fully embedded in the gums or jawbone like this is called an 'impacted wisdom tooth'.

■ Why do impacted wisdom teeth occur?
If there is not enough room for the wisdom tooth to come out or if the angle is incorrect, it may not emerge properly.
The appearance of impaction varies from person to person, such as lying sideways or being completely buried in the gums or jawbone.
Therefore, rather than judging by appearance alone, we check the position of the wisdom tooth using X-rays and other methods.

■ Must impacted wisdom teeth be removed?
Not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed.
However, if the following discomforts recur, extraction may be considered.

□ If the area around the wisdom tooth is frequently swollen or painful
□ If food frequently gets stuck
□ If there is recurring inflammation in the gums
□ If cavities have formed in the wisdom tooth or the adjacent molar
□ If the wisdom tooth is affecting the adjacent tooth

If there are no specific problems, we may monitor the condition periodically.

"It doesn't hurt right now, is it okay?"
Even if there is no pain, if the wisdom tooth is lying sideways or buried in the gums, it is worth checking if it is affecting the surrounding teeth.

■ What do we look at before extracting a wisdom tooth?
Even for the same wisdom tooth, the extraction method and difficulty can vary depending on the angle and the degree of impaction.
When extracting a wisdom tooth, we don't just check if it's "lying down."
We also examine the direction of the wisdom tooth, the shape of the roots, and the distance to the adjacent tooth.
In particular, since the nerves related to the sensation of the lips and chin pass through the lower jaw, we also check how close the wisdom tooth roots are to the nerves.

Image showing the positional relationship between the wisdom tooth roots and the lower jaw nerve

CBCT imaging equipment used at Moon Dental Hospital

If more detailed confirmation is needed, we can examine the wisdom tooth and surrounding structures using a dental 3D CT (CBCT).

■ How are impacted wisdom teeth removed?
Some people worry, "Is the extraction very complicated if it's impacted?"
After checking the test results, we proceed with the extraction using a method suitable for the condition of the wisdom tooth.
The process follows this order: Examination → Anesthesia → Opening the gums or dividing the tooth if necessary → Suturing if necessary.

■ How should I manage after the extraction?
Pain or swelling may occur after the extraction, and the degree varies from person to person.
Please follow these points during recovery.

□ Take prescribed medication according to instructions
□ Do not touch the extraction site with your hands or tongue
□ Avoid food that is too hot or hard
□ Do not rinse your mouth too vigorously
□ Avoid alcohol and smoking

If bleeding continues or if pain or swelling worsens over time, it is recommended to check with the dental clinic.

Impacted wisdom teeth do not all need to be removed just because they are buried, and it does not necessarily mean they are fine just because they do not hurt.
It is important to decide whether to extract based on the current condition after checking how the wisdom tooth is positioned and how close it is to surrounding teeth or nerves.