Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth belong to the molar category, which are the chewing teeth located at the back of the mouth. Humans typically have three sets of molars: first, second, and third molars. The third molars, or wisdom teeth, usually appear during the late teenage years or early twenties. Ideally, they align properly if there is sufficient space in the jaw. Each person generally develops four wisdom teeth: lower left, lower right, upper left, and upper right.
An impacted tooth refers to a tooth that has failed to fully emerge into its expected position. This can happen due to a lack of space in the jaw or improper angulation of the tooth. Since wisdom teeth erupt after all other teeth, they often lack sufficient space, making impaction a frequent occurrence.
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Dentists classify impacted wisdom teeth into four common types:
Mesial Impaction – The most common type, where the tooth is angled forward toward the front of the mouth.
Vertical Impaction – The tooth is correctly aligned but fails to fully emerge.
Horizontal Impaction – The tooth is completely sideways and can press against adjacent teeth.
Distal Impaction – The tooth is angled backward, away from the other teeth.
Further classification includes soft tissue impaction, where the tooth has broken through the bone but not fully emerged through the gums, and bone impaction, where the tooth remains entirely encased in the jawbone.
Causes of Wisdom Tooth Impaction
The primary reason for wisdom tooth impaction is insufficient space behind the second molars. However, the exact cause of this space limitation remains unclear. Factors such as tooth size, crowding, and jaw development play a role in impaction occurrence.
Historically, our ancestors’ coarse diet led to significant tooth wear, allowing space for wisdom teeth to emerge. The modern diet, however, lacks this effect, leading to higher rates of impacted wisdom teeth. Additionally, ancient humans frequently lost or broke teeth, which allowed neighboring teeth to shift and create space for wisdom tooth eruption.
Managing Wisdom Tooth-Related Jaw Pain
Ignoring wisdom tooth causing jaw pain can lead to serious dental issues, including damage to nearby teeth and infections spreading to other areas of the mouth and jawbone. To manage wisdom tooth pain, home remedies such as applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and numb the pain. However, these are only temporary solutions.
A dentist should be consulted for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment. In mild cases, pain relief medications and antibiotics may be prescribed to control the infection. For severe cases, extraction of the wisdom tooth may be necessary to prevent further complications. Seeking prompt dental care ensures relief from pain and prevents long-term complications. If you are experiencing persistent jaw pain due to your wisdom tooth, visiting a qualified dentist is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
