Both young adults and adults can have an impacted tooth that is “stuck” in the gum line, such as an impacted third molar, wisdom tooth, or other teeth near the back of the jaw. Impacted teeth can be very painful, cause infections, and change the alignment of your teeth. Chicago, IL board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Bart Nierzwicki, can remove anything from a child’s baby teeth to an adult tooth that is blocking eruption of the eyeteeth. While molars are the most talked about impacted teeth that people have removed, the second most common impacted tooth is the maxillary cuspid. There could be growths or extra teeth growing in the gums, preventing adult teeth from erupting.
At Millennium Surgical, we will do everything possible to not have to extract a patient’s natural teeth unless it is necessary. During your consultation with Dr. Nierzwicki, you can discuss all of the treatment options for you or your child’s impacted teeth, and together, decide on the best treatment plan. Call today to learn more, and schedule your first consultation. The sooner you recognize an impacted tooth, the more treatment options you will have.
request an appointmentAfter Treatment
Patients can expect some bleeding and pain at the surgical site after surgery. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain. If the pain is not gone in 2 – 3 days, we suggest calling the office. We also recommend a soft, bland diet until you can comfortably chew without pain. You will have a scheduled follow-up appointment in 7 – 10 days post-surgery for our surgeon to evaluate your mouth. If any problems should arise after surgery, simply call our office if you have any questions or concerns.
During the Procedure
In our office, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon can lift up the gum to expose the impacted tooth. The procedure can be performed under IV sedation if the patient desires to be asleep, but this is generally not necessary. Any other objects (baby teeth or growths) will be removed at this time. An orthodontic bracket will be bonded to the tooth, and an attached gold chain will be guided to an orthodontic arch wire. The gum will be sutured with the chain remaining visible. After 2 weeks, the patient may return to his or her orthodontist to start the process of pulling the tooth out of the gum with rubber bands, which can take more than a year to erupt.
Other Considerations
In cases where the impacted tooth has to be moved a long distance above the gum line, your surgeon may suggest a gum graft procedure to add gum tissue over the relocated tooth so it remains healthy. This condition is called gum recession, and a gum graft will help bulk up the tissue needed. We want to make sure your gums are pink, strong, and healthy to last for a lifetime of chewing and tooth brushing. Your dentist or orthodontist will explain this situation to you.
Plan Your Procedure
Recovery Time 2 – 3 Days
Post-op Follow-up As Needed
Procedure Recovery Location Office
Early Detection is key
Dental studies indicate that identifying impacted teeth in patients at a young age, other than the wisdom teeth, should be considered as best practices for dentists and orthodontists. We advise our referral patients to consider having growths or extra teeth removed before braces are put on the teeth. At our oral and maxillofacial office, we do what is best for our patients in the long run, so that you can spend less time in the dentist office. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.