### What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the back of your mouth. They usually appear during late teenage years or early adulthood. When a wisdom tooth doesn't have enough room to emerge or gets stuck under the gum, it is called 'impacted.' Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause issues like disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems. ### Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth Some people with impacted wisdom teeth may not experience any problems, while others may have noticeable symptoms. A partially impacted wisdom tooth might break through the gums, making it difficult to clean and potentially causing pain. If the tooth becomes infected, you may experience symptoms like pain, swelling, and difficulty opening your mouth. ### Causes of Impacted Wisdom Teeth Generally, wisdom teeth become impacted because there isn't enough space in the jaw for them. Sometimes, the tooth grows at an incorrect angle, leading to impaction. ### Diagnosis Your dentist can determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted through a dental examination and an X-ray. The X-ray can show the position of the teeth and any potential damage to other teeth or bones. ### Treatment Options If your impacted wisdom teeth cause symptoms or dental problems, your dentist may recommend surgery to remove them. This procedure, known as wisdom tooth extraction, is usually done on an outpatient basis. The surgery involves making a cut in the gums, removing any problematic bone, and then extracting the tooth. Recovery typically takes a few days, but complete healing can take up to six weeks. ### Post-Surgery Care After surgery, you may experience pain, swelling, and bleeding. Your doctor will provide specific instructions for managing these symptoms, such as taking pain medications and using cold compresses. Eating soft foods is recommended as you may not be able to open your mouth fully for about a week. ### Potential Complications Although rare, complications like dry socket can occur. This happens when the blood clot that forms after surgery is dislodged, exposing the bone. ### Preventive Measures While there's no way to prevent an impacted tooth, maintaining good dental hygiene can help avoid potential problems. Regular dental check-ups and proper flossing around your wisdom teeth are essential. ### Conclusion If your impacted wisdom tooth doesn't cause issues, your dentist might suggest leaving it alone. However, some dentists recommend removing them to prevent future problems. Discuss your treatment options with your dentist or oral surgeon to make an informed decision.