Conditions and Complications
Conditions and Complications Overview
Wisdom Teeth Conditions
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons specializes in diagnosing and treating wisdom teeth complications using the latest technologies and techniques. Here are some of the most common conditions related to problematic third molars.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: When one or more wisdom teeth cannot fully erupt through the gums, they become impacted or trapped beneath the gum tissue and jawbone. There are several types of impaction:
Soft Tissue Impaction: The tooth has penetrated through the bone, but the gum is still covering part of it.
Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially emerged from the jawbone. This partial emergence creates an opening where bacteria can enter, raising risks of infection.
Complete Bony Impaction: The wisdom tooth is fully encased by the jawbone, posing risks of damage to neighboring teeth, cysts, and other issues.
Horizontal/Vertical Impaction: Refers to the angled positioning and depth to which the wisdom tooth is impacted.
Wisdom Teeth Complications
Impacted wisdom teeth require surgical extraction, often with the removal of surrounding gum tissue and jawbone. Leaving impacted wisdom teeth increases the risks of oral disease, cysts, and other complications.
Pericoronitis
- Pericoronitis refers to the infection and inflammation of soft gum tissue surrounding the crown portion of a semi-impacted wisdom tooth. It typically occurs because the gum area is difficult to clean, allowing bacteria to accumulate. Symptoms include dull pain or throbbing around the area, swelling, jaw stiffness, issues fully opening the mouth, and bad breath. While pericoronitis may initially subside with treatments like antibiotics, warm salt water rinses, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, it frequently recurs. Wisdom tooth removal is the only definitive solution to eliminate these recurring infections.
Cysts & Tumors
- Dentigerous Cysts: Dentigerous Cysts are non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs that develop around the crown of an impacted tooth. They slowly expand and can cause damage if left untreated.
- Tumors: While uncommon, certain types of oral cysts and tumors can form around impacted wisdom teeth, including ameloblastomas.
- Odontogenic Keratocysts: Odontogenic Keratocysts are less common but more aggressive jaw cysts with a higher recurrence rate and can cause significant damage to surrounding bone and tooth structures.
- Surgical removal of problematic wisdom teeth along with any growths is required to prevent further spreading or complications like pathologic bone fractures or tooth loss.
Occlusion & Bite Issues
- Crowding/Spacing Issues: A lack of room forces surrounding teeth to bunch together, become misaligned, or be spaced too tightly.
- Bite Misalignment: Wisdom teeth that emerge at angles other than the proper vertical orientation alter bite mechanics and increase abnormal attrition on tooth surfaces.
- TMJ Disorder: Increased clenching and teeth grinding due to occlusion problems places strain on the jaw joints, muscles, and ligaments.
- Gum Disease: Poor spacing around wisdom teeth traps food particles, making oral hygiene very difficult and raising risks of periodontal disease.
What are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal?
At Nomad Wisdom Teeth, we prioritize helping patients achieve optimal oral health and function by resolving wisdom teeth complications before they progress. Using advanced 3D imaging and years of specialized training, our surgical team develops personalized treatment plans to address everything from basic impactions to complex cysts and bite issues. Schedule an appointment today!
