Wisdom teeth that don't have enough room to come through properly can become impacted, trapped partially or fully beneath the gum or bone. At Eastern Dental Group in Wantirna South, we assess impacted wisdom teeth with X-rays and recommend the most appropriate course of action for your situation.
Call (03) 9887 0822Impacted wisdom teeth don't always cause symptoms, particularly fully impacted ones. When they do, the most common include:
Persistent pain or aching at the back of the jaw
Swollen, red, or bleeding gums around the back teeth
Difficulty or discomfort opening the mouth
Bad breath or an unpleasant taste near the back of the mouth
Jaw stiffness
Pain radiating to the ear or side of the face
Pericoronitis is an infection of the gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth. When a wisdom tooth only partially breaks through the gum, the flap of tissue covering it creates a pocket that's difficult to clean, trapping food debris and bacteria underneath. This can lead to inflammation and infection causing localised pain, swelling of the gum and jaw, and difficulty opening the mouth.
If swelling starts affecting your breathing or swallowing, this is a medical emergency, go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Otherwise, contact our emergency dental team promptly if you suspect an infection.
Not necessarily. Fully impacted wisdom teeth that are causing no symptoms, have no associated cysts or decay, and aren't damaging adjacent teeth may sometimes be monitored rather than removed straight away.
That said, because impacted wisdom teeth are prone to developing problems over time, pericoronitis, cysts, and damage to neighbouring molars, removal is often recommended as a preventive measure, particularly in younger patients where the roots are less developed. We'll assess each tooth individually and talk you through the most appropriate approach for your situation.
Straightforward cases are assessed and treated in-chair under local anaesthetic. Visit our minor oral surgery page for a full breakdown of the removal process, recovery, and what to expect.
Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that can't fully emerge through the gum because there isn't enough space in the jaw, or because they're growing at an angle. They may be partially impacted, breaking through the gum only partially, or fully impacted, remaining entirely below the gumline. Both types can cause problems if left untreated.
Mostly because the jaw often doesn't have enough space to fit third molars in the correct position. When a wisdom tooth attempts to emerge into a crowded jaw, it can grow at an angle, or be blocked by bone entirely. Genetics play a role too, if your parents had impacted wisdom teeth, you're more likely to as well.
Partially impacted teeth create a pocket that traps food and bacteria, making them prone to infection (pericoronitis), which can cause pain and swelling that spreads to the jaw, neck, and throat if untreated. Fully impacted teeth can damage the roots of the adjacent molar, increase the risk of cyst formation, and contribute to crowding of surrounding teeth.
Yes. An impacted lower wisdom tooth growing at an angle toward the adjacent molar can place pressure on its roots, causing pain that may feel like it's coming from that tooth. Muscle tension and inflammation from the eruption attempt can also cause jaw pain, earache, and headaches.
Not necessarily. Fully impacted teeth causing no symptoms, with no associated cysts or decay, may sometimes be monitored rather than removed straight away. Because they're prone to developing problems over time, removal is often recommended as a preventive measure, particularly in younger patients. Your dentist will assess each tooth individually.
Assessment starts with a clinical examination, followed by X-rays to assess the position, angle, depth, and proximity of the wisdom teeth to surrounding nerves and structures. This determines whether extraction is recommended, and whether it can be performed in-chair under local anaesthetic or whether referral for more complex cases is more appropriate.
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