Impaction Surgeries

One of the most performed procedures in the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery is the removal of impacted teeth, especially third molars. Impaction is defined as the failure of teeth to erupt into the dental arch within the expected time. The reasons for tooth impaction include several factors subdivided into local and general factors such as position and size of adjacent teeth, dense overlying bone, excessive soft tissue, or a genetic abnormality including abnormal eruption path, dental arch length, and space in which to erupt. In some cases, if an impacted or buried tooth is not removed, it can lead to further dental issues down the road, including decay and gum disease. Removing the tooth or teeth can help reduce the chances of this happening. Surgical removal of a buried or impacted tooth can be carried out under local or general anesthetic and it usually takes between 30-60 minutes. During the procedure, your specialist will uncover the tooth and remove it. They will then add a bracket and chain, a brace, or a gauze pack to the area. The recovery from surgical removal of a buried or impacted tooth can depend on a variety of factors, and you should discuss this with our specialist. After the surgery, you might feel sore and be able to taste blood in your mouth, but this should fade within a few days. You and our specialist will discuss your plan for recovery before our surgical removal of a buried or impacted tooth.

If the tooth becomes infected or causes other issues, you may have symptoms such as:

• pain or swelling around the jaw
• red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• bad breath
• an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• problems opening your mouth