Impacted wisdom teeth: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name = Impacted wisdom teeth
| field = [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
| synonyms = Impacted third molars
| symptoms = [[Pain]], [[swelling]], [[infection]], [[trismus]]
| complications = [[Cyst (medicine)|Cysts]], [[tooth decay]], [[periodontal disease]]
| onset = Late [[adolescence]] to early [[adulthood]]
| duration = Variable
| causes = Lack of space in the [[jaw]]
| risks = [[Pericoronitis]], [[damage to adjacent teeth]]
| diagnosis = [[Dental examination]], [[X-ray]]
| differential = [[Dental abscess]], [[temporomandibular joint disorder]]
| prevention = Regular [[dental check-ups]]
| treatment = [[Surgical extraction]]
| medication = [[Analgesics]], [[antibiotics]]
| prognosis = Generally good with treatment
| frequency = Common
}}
[[File:Vertical_impaction_wisdom_tooth_infection.png|thumb|Impacted wisdom teeth]]
[[File:Mesioangular_full_bony_wisdom_tooth_impaction.png|thumb]]
[[File:Horizontal_impacted_wisdom_tooth_2.png|thumb]]
[[File:48_clinical_pericornitis.jpg|left|thumb]]
'''Impacted wisdom teeth''' are [[third molars]] at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to emerge or grow normally.
'''Impacted wisdom teeth''' are [[third molars]] at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to emerge or grow normally.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Impacted wisdom teeth can be caused by a number of factors. The primary cause is a lack of space in the jaw for the teeth to grow in properly. This can be due to the size of the jaw, the size of the teeth, or both. Other factors that can contribute to the development of impacted wisdom teeth include genetics and the angle at which the teeth are growing in.
Impacted wisdom teeth can be caused by a number of factors. The primary cause is a lack of space in the jaw for the teeth to grow in properly. This can be due to the size of the jaw, the size of the teeth, or both. Other factors that can contribute to the development of impacted wisdom teeth include genetics and the angle at which the teeth are growing in.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can vary greatly depending on the severity of the impaction. Some people may experience no symptoms at all, while others may have severe pain and discomfort. Common symptoms include:
Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can vary greatly depending on the severity of the impaction. Some people may experience no symptoms at all, while others may have severe pain and discomfort. Common symptoms include:
* Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth or jaw
* Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth or jaw
* Swelling around the jaw
* Swelling around the jaw
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* Difficulty opening the mouth
* Difficulty opening the mouth
* An unpleasant taste in the mouth
* An unpleasant taste in the mouth
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for impacted wisdom teeth depends on the severity of the impaction and the symptoms experienced by the patient. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary. However, if the impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain or other problems, treatment options may include:
Treatment for impacted wisdom teeth depends on the severity of the impaction and the symptoms experienced by the patient. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary. However, if the impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain or other problems, treatment options may include:
* [[Pain relief]]: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
* [[Pain relief]]: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
* [[Oral surgery]]: In severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the impacted wisdom teeth. This is usually done under local or general anesthesia.
* [[Oral surgery]]: In severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the impacted wisdom teeth. This is usually done under local or general anesthesia.
* [[Antibiotics]]: If the impacted wisdom teeth have caused an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to help clear it up.
* [[Antibiotics]]: If the impacted wisdom teeth have caused an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to help clear it up.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
While it's not always possible to prevent impacted wisdom teeth, regular dental check-ups can help to identify potential problems early. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help to prevent infections and other complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
While it's not always possible to prevent impacted wisdom teeth, regular dental check-ups can help to identify potential problems early. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help to prevent infections and other complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
 
==Images==
<gallery>
File:Impacted_wisdom_tooth.jpg|Impacted wisdom teeth
File:BacteroidesFragilis_Gram.jpg
File:Impacted_wisdom_teeth_caries.png
File:Impacted_2nd_molar.png
File:38_pericoronitis_with_pus.jpg
</gallery>
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Dental extraction]]
* [[Dental extraction]]
* [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
* [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
* [[Tooth impaction]]
* [[Tooth impaction]]
[[Category:Dental conditions]]
[[Category:Dental conditions]]
[[Category:Oral surgery]]
[[Category:Oral surgery]]
{{dentistry-stub}}
{{dentistry-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:10, 26 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Impacted wisdom teeth
Synonyms Impacted third molars
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Pain, swelling, infection, trismus
Complications Cysts, tooth decay, periodontal disease
Onset Late adolescence to early adulthood
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Lack of space in the jaw
Risks Pericoronitis, damage to adjacent teeth
Diagnosis Dental examination, X-ray
Differential diagnosis Dental abscess, temporomandibular joint disorder
Prevention Regular dental check-ups
Treatment Surgical extraction
Medication Analgesics, antibiotics
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Impacted wisdom teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to emerge or grow normally.

Causes[edit]

Impacted wisdom teeth can be caused by a number of factors. The primary cause is a lack of space in the jaw for the teeth to grow in properly. This can be due to the size of the jaw, the size of the teeth, or both. Other factors that can contribute to the development of impacted wisdom teeth include genetics and the angle at which the teeth are growing in.

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can vary greatly depending on the severity of the impaction. Some people may experience no symptoms at all, while others may have severe pain and discomfort. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth or jaw
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • An unpleasant taste in the mouth

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for impacted wisdom teeth depends on the severity of the impaction and the symptoms experienced by the patient. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary. However, if the impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain or other problems, treatment options may include:

  • Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
  • Oral surgery: In severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the impacted wisdom teeth. This is usually done under local or general anesthesia.
  • Antibiotics: If the impacted wisdom teeth have caused an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to help clear it up.

Prevention[edit]

While it's not always possible to prevent impacted wisdom teeth, regular dental check-ups can help to identify potential problems early. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help to prevent infections and other complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth.

Images[edit]

See also[edit]

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