Wisdom teeth are the third and last set of molars that people in their late teens or early twenties get. Generally, there are four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth, two at the top and two at the bottom.

So what are impacted wisdom teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when your third molars partially or fully get trapped in your gums or jawbone. This can result in several oral health issues, including tooth decay,  infection, and gum disease. Surgical removal is usually advised as a treatment for impacted wisdom teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth can obviously be a source of pain for the patient. It also causes damage to other teeth and other dental complexities. While in other cases, they may not have any visible and immediate difficulties, spotting them and sorting them out is a difficult job. They may be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth.

Some of the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth are:

• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Jaw pain
• Swelling around the jaw
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth

There are generally four cases of impacted wisdom teeth. Each type depends on the positioning of your teeth:

• Mesial Impaction

The first and most common type is mesial impaction. It happens when the impacted wisdom tooth is angled toward the front of your mouth.

• Vertical Impaction

This occurs when the tooth is in the perfect position to erupt, but it’s stuck beneath the gums.

• Distal Impaction

This is the rarest type, and it occurs when your wisdom tooth is angled toward the back of your mouth. 

• Horizontal Impaction

This issue arises when your wisdom tooth is lying completely on its side, trapped beneath your gums. Horizontally impacted wisdom teeth are commonly painful because they exert a lot of pressure on the teeth in front of them.

If you are suffering from impacted wisdom teeth, our professionals at iDentify are here to help. For more details, contact us to book your appointment now.