How Is Impacted Tooth Surgery Performed?

Impacted teeth are teeth that remain under the gum or bone without fully erupting, even though the time for them to come through has arrived. They may stay completely inside the jawbone, or they may not be visible in the mouth because they remain under the gum. Some teeth are partly visible in the mouth while the rest stays under the gum or bone. These are called partially impacted teeth. Impaction is most often seen in the upper and lower wisdom teeth.

What are the signs of impacted teeth in the mouth?

The most common signs of impacted teeth are toothache, swelling around the jaw, bad breath, redness and swelling of the gum and bleeding gums. When these signs appear, you should see a dentist for the necessary examinations.

What factors cause teeth to become impacted?

Teeth may become impacted for more than one reason or for just one. The reasons include:

*Not enough room for the teeth to come through because the jaw is narrow,

*The space where the tooth should come through being closed because neighbouring teeth have shifted into the gap after early extraction of baby teeth,

*Genetic factors,

*If an infection in the teeth is not treated, the tooth coming from below may stop erupting because of that infection.

What is the impacted tooth surgery process?

Before impacted tooth surgery, the necessary X-rays are taken to determine the position of the tooth, the surrounding tissues and whether surgery is suitable. If the tooth could damage neighbouring teeth and tissues, it is checked whether the teeth are suitable for orthodontic treatment. If the position of the impacted tooth is suitable for extraction, the patient is prepared for surgery. At the start of the operation, local anaesthesia is applied. Once the area is numb, the gum is lifted to expose the bone and tooth. If there is bone over the tooth, the bone is removed and the tooth is extracted. After the tooth is removed, the gum is closed again and stitched, and the operation is complete. The treatment is completed when the stitches are removed a week later. Following the dentist's instructions after surgery and taking the prescribed medication regularly help prevent problems after the operation.