Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Wisdom teeth, also known as the third set of molars, tend to develop during early adulthood between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people grow four wisdom teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom. Some people are congenitally missing one or more wisdom teeth. 

Wisdom teeth may not cause problems when they grow in alignment with the teeth. But they can become trapped in the jawbone or gums when they don’t have enough room to emerge properly. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth.

Let’s discuss its symptoms and when you should see a dentist for treatment. We’ll also explore the recovery timeline for impacted wisdom teeth extractions.

What are the Symptoms of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

Wisdom teeth are teeth that grow in the back of the mouth. They’re common, and most people grow four wisdom teeth. 

However, if there is not enough room, they can get trapped in the jawbone or gums, resulting in an impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can be painful and often require treatment.

Symptoms include:

• Discomfort or pain in the back of your jaw
• Swelling and pain in the face on one side
• Swollen, red, sensitive, or bleeding gums
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Trouble opening the mouth wide 
• Bad breath
• Radiating pain that causes headaches
• Pressure in the back of your mouth

What Causes an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

Impacted wisdom teeth occur for several reasons, or a combination of factors. In most cases, they don’t have enough space to erupt properly. Sometimes, they grow at an awkward angle, push against other teeth, or get trapped in the gums or jawbone. 

When Should You See a Dentist?

You should talk to a dentist as soon as you start noticing the symptoms of an impacted tooth. Especially if you notice any of the following:

• Pain or swelling in the face and jaw
• Damage to other teeth or the jawbone
• Infection
• Tooth decay or gum disease
• Cysts or tumors around the area
• Teeth that look buried in the gums
• Difficulty brushing or flossing

Diagnosis & Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth

A dentist or periodontist examines the back of the mouth to diagnose an impacted wisdom tooth. They’ll also ask you about your symptoms and take dental X-rays to see how badly the tooth is impacted.

In most cases, an impacted wisdom tooth requires a surgical extraction by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Oral surgeons or periodontists (gum specialists) may also remove impacted wisdom teeth as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of future problems.

However, asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth that don’t cause dental problems may not require surgical removal. It’s sometimes recommended to leave the tooth alone if they are close to important structures like nerves or blood vessels.

What is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure Like?

Wisdom teeth extraction is typically done in one day and takes about an hour to complete. Before the surgery, you’ll be given local anesthesia to numb the inside of your mouth. You’ll also be given general anesthesia to make the process more comfortable.

After administering anesthesia, the periodontist will:

• Make a small incision in the gums
• Remove any bone blocking the wisdom tooth
• Remove the wisdom tooth, including the roots
• Pack the open socket (hole left within the jawbone and gums) with sterile gauze and close it with stitches or sutures

Recovery Timeline for an Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal

After surgery, most people experience throbbing pain and swelling on the impacted side of the face and mouth. The swelling and fatigue tend to be most severe during the first two days and gradually decrease. 

Most people will experience soreness, stiffness, minor bruises, teeth sensitivity, bad breath, and some bleeding around the wound for up to 2 weeks. Doctors will give you pain relievers after the surgery and recommend applying a cold compress on the area to reduce pain and swelling.

While recovering, you should eat soft foods. Cold foods and drinks can also help reduce swelling. During this time, you should avoid hard candies and activities that can dislodge the blood clot over the socket, like smoking or sipping on straws.

Most people recover after 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes, the stitches will naturally dissolve after a few days, but other times, you need to go to a follow-up appointment to remove them.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Complications

As with most surgeries, you can experience some complications while recovering from wisdom teeth removal.

Common complications include:

• Bacteria and food can get stuck in the tooth socket, causing an infection.
• A dry socket can occur if a blood clot doesn’t form over the socket, dislodges, or dissolves.
• In rare cases, the surgery can damage the jawbone, sinuses, other teeth, or nerves.
• A pocket of puss called an abscess can develop between the open socket and the tissues covering it.