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If your dentist recently told you that you have an impacted tooth but it’s not causing any pain, you might be wondering if it really needs treatment.
The most common teeth to become impacted are wisdom teeth and upper canines. While they may not always cause immediate symptoms, they can still lead to serious complications.
In this blog, we’ll explain what an impacted tooth is, why early treatment matters, and how oral surgeons at Oral Facial & Implant Specialists treat different types of impactions.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Impacted Tooth?
- No Pain Doesn’t Mean No Problem
- Why Oral Surgeons Recommend Early Treatment
- Treatment Options for Impacted Teeth
- Expert Care for Impacted Teeth
- FAQs
What Is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that doesn’t fully emerge through the gums. This usually happens because there’s not enough space in the mouth or the tooth is angled in the wrong direction.
There are several types of impaction:
- Soft tissue impaction: The tooth is covered by gum tissue.
- Partial bony impaction: The tooth is partially trapped in the jawbone.
- Complete bony impaction: The tooth is entirely embedded in the bone.
Wisdom teeth often become impacted because there’s often not enough space for them to come in properly at the back of the jaw. Upper canines are the second most common. These teeth play an important role in guiding your bite and maintaining dental alignment, which makes early treatment essential.
No Pain Doesn’t Mean No Problem
Just because an impacted tooth isn’t causing pain doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Early on, the body may adapt to the pressure without triggering symptoms. But over time, damage builds up beneath the surface.
Pain often appears only after inflammation, infection, or pressure on nearby teeth begins. That’s why people are sometimes caught off guard when a previously symptom-free tooth suddenly becomes swollen, sore, or infected.
Risks of Ignoring an Impacted Tooth
Even if there’s no discomfort, an untreated impacted tooth can still lead to serious problems:
- Infection: Bacteria trapped around the tooth can lead to abscesses or spread into surrounding tissues.
- Tooth decay: Partially erupted teeth are hard to clean and prone to cavities.
- Gum disease: Impacted areas create the perfect environment for bacteria and inflammation.
- Damage to nearby teeth: Pressure from the impacted tooth can push against roots or cause misalignment.
- Cysts or tumors: Fluid-filled sacs may form around impacted teeth and slowly erode the jawbone.
Why Oral Surgeons Recommend Early Treatment
Early intervention helps avoid complications and makes procedures less invasive, especially in younger patients with softer bone and less root formation.
At Oral Facial & Implant Specialists, we use advanced digital X-rays and 3D imaging to assess the exact position of impacted teeth. From there, we create a customized treatment plan based on the tooth’s location, root development, and how it’s affecting nearby structures.
Treatment Options for Impacted Teeth
The most commonly impacted teeth are upper canines and wisdom teeth. Each requires a different approach depending on the tooth’s location, stage of development, and potential to cause damage.
Impacted Canines: Bonding and Bracketing
Upper canines usually erupt between ages 11 and 13. When they don’t, early detection is key. Left untreated, impacted canines can cause root resorption of nearby teeth or disrupt the bite.
Our oral surgeons work closely with your orthodontist to guide the tooth into position. This process typically involves:
- Surgically exposing the impacted canine
- Bonding an orthodontic bracket and small chain to the tooth
- Allowing your orthodontist to slowly guide the tooth into place over time
This procedure helps preserve the natural tooth and avoid more extensive orthodontic problems later on.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Surgical Removal
Wisdom teeth are often removed because they’re not essential for chewing and are prone to complications. If they’re impacted, surgical removal may be recommended, even if you aren’t feeling pain.
At our Deer Park office, Dr. J. Travis Thompson and Dr. Stephen Martin, perform wisdom tooth extractions with precision and care. The steps typically include:
- Local anesthesia or IV sedation to keep you comfortable
- A small incision to access the tooth
- Removal of bone or sectioning of the tooth if needed
- Stitches to close the area and promote healing
- Detailed post-op instructions to support your recovery
Expert Care for Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth may not hurt now, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ignore. Whether it’s a canine that hasn’t erupted or a wisdom tooth growing at the wrong angle, early treatment can protect your long-term oral health and help you avoid more complex procedures down the road.
At Oral Facial & Implant Specialists, our board-certified surgeons use advanced imaging and proven techniques to treat impacted teeth with precision and care. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.
To book dental implant consultation at our oral surgeons office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.
FAQs
Impacted teeth don’t always cause symptoms right away. Common signs include swollen gums, bad breath, pain when chewing, or crowding of other teeth. A dental X-ray or 3D scan is the best way to confirm impaction.
Canines are usually treated with surgical exposure followed by orthodontic bracketing and guidance. This helps move the tooth into place without extraction.
Not always. Treatment depends on the type of tooth, its position, and whether it’s likely to cause problems. Wisdom teeth are often removed, while canines are usually guided into place.
Oral Facial & Implant Specialists offer both wisdom tooth removal and bonding/bracketing for impacted canines. Our board-certified oral surgeons use advanced imaging and personalized care to determine the best course of treatment.
