Your smile is one of your greatest assets, but when a tooth becomes impacted, it can cause more than just discomfort. Impaction can lead to infections, crowding, and even long-term damage to your oral health if left untreated.
That is why recognizing the early signs is key to preventing more serious complications and ensuring a healthy, confident smile for days to come. At the Krupp Center, we provide advanced dental services in Towson designed to diagnose and treat impacted teeth with precision and care.
In this blog, we will explain what impacted teeth are, review the symptoms you should never ignore, and outline when oral surgery is the safest and most effective solution for restoring your smile and your comfort.
What Is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that cannot fully emerge through the gums, often because there is not enough space for it to grow in properly.
As a result, the tooth may remain trapped in the gum tissue or even within the jawbone. Wisdom teeth are particularly prone to impaction since they are usually the last teeth to erupt, often into an already crowded mouth.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Teeth
Tooth impaction is not a rare condition, with about 9 out of 10 people in the United States having at least one impacted tooth (usually the wisdom teeth) by their late teens. Early identification of an impacted tooth allows for effective management before any surrounding teeth are harmed.
Some common symptoms of a full or partially impacted tooth include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Visible gaps where a tooth has not emerged
- Redness or swelling of gum tissue
- Pain when opening the mouth
- Regular jaw pain or headaches
Although some impacted teeth have noticeable symptoms, others may remain completely asymptomatic. That is why routine evaluations at your general dental clinic are so important, as they help detect issues like impacted teeth early, before they progress and cause further damage.
Getting Relief From Impacted Teeth With Oral Surgery
There is 1 main solution for impacted teeth: surgical extractions. When a tooth is fully impacted and has not emerged through the gum line, a surgical extraction is often required.
In cases like this, your general dentist will refer you to an oral surgery center like the Krupp Center. From there, our team steps in to perform the extraction surgery. During this procedure, your oral surgeon will make an incision in the gum to expose the impacted tooth. They will then remove the tooth and treat the incision area.
Addressing impacted teeth can help prevent serious dental issues down the road and significantly improve your overall oral health. After treating an impacted tooth, patients can expect:
- Improved tooth alignment and bite function
- Relief from pain caused by pressure on nearby teeth and tissues
- Protection of surrounding teeth from damage or shifting
- Decay prevention in the area by minimizing bacterial buildup
Do Not Wait, Protect Your Smile
Ignoring the signs of an impacted tooth can lead to bigger problems, but the good news is that treatment is straightforward with the right care. Addressing the problem early can prevent pain, infection, and more serious dental complications down the road.
At the Krupp Center, we combine advanced technology with years of surgical expertise to provide comfortable, effective solutions for every patient. Our comprehensive dental services in Towson are designed to give you lasting relief and protect your oral health for the future, incorporating everything from oral surgery and dental implants to full mouth rehabilitation and more.
If you have noticed any of the symptoms of an impacted tooth or simply want some peace of mind, schedule an appointment with your general dentist, and ask for a referral to the Krupp Center. Let us help you protect your smile and your health.
