Impacted Teeth (Gömük Dişler)
Teeth that, despite having reached the age and time for eruption, remain in the soft tissues or bone without being able to fully emerge into their normal occlusal position, either partially or completely, are known as impacted teeth (scientifically referred to as "gömük dişler" in Turkish). The most common impacted teeth are the third molars (wisdom teeth), but canine teeth, premolars, and even incisors can also remain impacted.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted?
Wisdom teeth, the last teeth to emerge in the mouth, can cause significant problems, especially if they do not have enough space to emerge properly. Wisdom teeth typically begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, but when there is insufficient space in the jaw, they can become impacted, causing severe pain. When wisdom teeth emerge in the correct position and do not damage surrounding tissues, there is no reason to remove them.
However, if a tooth becomes embedded in the jawbone and is in an abnormal position, it may lead to future complications, and an extraction might be considered after an X-ray is taken. Wisdom teeth can be problematic in the following situations:
1. Gum Infection (Pericoronitis):
If a wisdom tooth is not fully erupted, food particles and bacteria can enter the soft tissue around the tooth, causing a gum infection. Symptoms of this infection include bad breath, pain, facial swelling, and reduced mouth opening. The infection can spread through the lymphatic system to the cheeks and neck area.
2. Pressure Pain:
An impacted wisdom tooth may exert pressure on the adjacent teeth, causing pain. In some cases, this pressure can even lead to wear on the neighboring teeth.
3. Orthodontic Issues:
Many young patients undergo orthodontic treatment to correct misalignment or crooked teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to crowding, especially in the front teeth, causing misalignment or worsening of the existing dental crowding.
4. Prosthetic Problems:
In patients using complete dentures, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to issues such as discomfort, poor fit, or difficulty wearing the prosthesis properly. The presence of impacted wisdom teeth can interfere with the fitting of dentures, leading to complications.
5. Cyst Formation:
An impacted or partially impacted wisdom tooth may develop a cyst around the surrounding soft tissue. Removal of the cyst and the tooth is important to prevent potential damage to the bone and adjacent teeth. In rare cases, a tumor can develop within the cyst, or excessive cyst growth may cause spontaneous fractures in the jawbone.
