Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, and they are found at the furthest back of your mouth. They erupt during late teens or early adulthood. While they don’t always cause immediate problems, they can become a source of problems in the future. Wisdom teeth or third molars can sometimes fail to erupt properly due to limited space in the jaw, resulting in what’s known as an impacted wisdom tooth.
For most people, this can cause discomfort or even serious oral health complications if ignored.
It’s common for an impacted wisdom tooth to go unnoticed until it causes significant discomfort. It can have long-term consequences, from pain and swelling to more severe issues like infection.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the risks of retaining impacted third molars and the importance of addressing them early. If you’ve noticed early symptoms or are curious about wisdom teeth, this blog offers helpful information. It will guide you in making informed decisions about your dental health.
Blog Navigation
- Summary of the Content:
- Understanding Wisdom Tooth Impaction
- Wisdom Tooth Impaction and Chronic Pain Issues
- Impact of Wisdom Teeth on Oral Hygiene and Tooth Decay
- How Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Crowding and Misalignment
- The Potential for Cysts and Tumours with Wisdom Teeth
- The Benefits of Early Assessment of the Need for Removal of Wisdom Teeth
- Final Thoughts
Summary of the Content:
- Wisdom teeth cannot emerge properly due to insufficient space in the jaw areas, leading to impaction and the risk of oral health issues.
- Impacted third molar teeth can cause severe pain, including jaw discomfort, headaches, and even pain in the neck or ears.
- These adult teeth create areas that are difficult to clean (pockets between gum tissues and teeth), which increases the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses.
- Retained wisdom teeth can cause crowding and misalignment of surrounding teeth, which might require orthodontic treatment to address the problem.
- There is a risk of developing cysts or tumours, such as dentigerous cysts or ameloblastoma, around impacted wisdom teeth.
- Early assessment and removal of wisdom teeth can prevent bite misalignment, oral infections, and the need for more complicated surgeries later in life.
- Routine dental check-ups are essential to monitor the growth and position of third molars to maintain long-term oral health.
Understanding Wisdom Tooth Impaction

Wisdom tooth impaction occurs when one or more of your adult teeth in the back of your mouth are unable to emerge or grow through the gums fully. The primary reason is due to a lack of space in the jaw or abnormal positioning. These teeth, which usually appear between the ages of 18 and 24, can become trapped underneath the gum line. However, the age during which they develop is a wide variation.
Impaction of wisdom teeth can cause discomfort and oral health complications if ignored.
There are two main types of wisdom tooth impaction, known as soft tissue impaction and hard tissue impaction. Here’s a brief explanation of their difference:
- Soft tissue impaction:
Soft tissue impaction occurs when the crown of a tooth partially erupts, but the gum tissue still covers part of it. This partial eruption can create a gap between the gum and tooth, making cleaning your teeth difficult and increasing the risk of infection. - Hard tissue impaction:
Hard tissue impaction happens when the tooth remains completely embedded in the jawbone and is unable to break through the gum. This impaction is often more complicated and may require surgical intervention to prevent future complications.
In addition to the classification of an impacted wisdom tooth, its position plays a significant role in determining the type of impaction. Listed below are four common types:
- Mesial impaction:
The third molar is angled towards the front of the mouth, pushing against other teeth. - Distal impaction:
The tooth is slanted towards the back of the mouth, which is less common but can cause discomfort. - Vertical impaction:
The third molar tooth is correctly positioned but remains trapped beneath the gum tissue, unable to emerge fully. - Horizontal impaction:
The third molar tooth lies completely on its side, placing pressure on neighbouring teeth, often leading to pain and crowding.
Each type of wisdom tooth impaction can cause varying degrees of discomfort. Impacted wisdom teeth may pose long-term risks to your oral health when not addressed by the dentist.
Wisdom Tooth Impaction and Chronic Pain Issues
The impaction of wisdom teeth can lead to more than just occasional discomfort. For many, it can cause chronic pain that greatly affects their daily lives and overall well-being. This discomfort might subside but come back and may be felt in areas beyond the mouth.
One of the most common issues associated with impacted third molas is chronic jaw pain. As the teeth try to push through the gums in a crowded area, they can put pressure on the nearby teeth and cause an adverse impact on the jawbone. This tension can result in persistent discomfort, particularly when chewing, biting, or speaking, and may even cause the jaw to feel sore.
In some cases, the impacted position of wisdom teeth can also cause frequent headaches. This occurs when the crowded teeth press against nerves in the jaw, which causes referred pain that radiates to the head. Some may also experience pain in the ears or neck, as these areas can be affected by the same nerve pathways.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause long-term pain that can make it challenging to carry out daily activities comfortably, significantly reducing a person’s quality of life. Regular dental check-ups can help identify these issues early and prevent further complications. The early assessment of the pain caused by growing wisdom teeth is a proactive step to protect your long-term oral and overall health and comfort.
Impact of Wisdom Teeth on Oral Hygiene and Tooth Decay
The impaction of wisdom teeth can create challenges in maintaining proper oral hygiene. Without proper intervention by a dentist, these can eventually lead to a higher risk of long-term problems for your dental health. Here’s how they can have adverse impacts on your dental hygiene and health:
- Creates a Breeding Ground for Bacteria
An impacted third molar may be partially or fully trapped beneath the gums. As a result, it creates narrow spaces where food particles and bacteria can easily accumulate. Despite practising daily brushing and flossing, these crevices can be hard to reach, making it difficult to remove debris. - Develop Tooth Decay and Caries
Over time, food particles and bacteria buildup can cause tooth decay. As bacteria settle around the wisdom teeth, they weaken the dental enamel, which can eventually result in cavities or holes in a tooth. These dental issues are challenging to address due to the difficulty of accessing them, which allows the bacteria to progress. - Prone to Gum Problems
Apart from causing tooth decay, the accumulation of bacteria between impacted wisdom teeth and gum tissues can heighten the risk of developing gum issues. The difficulty in cleaning around impacted wisdom teeth can result in gingivitis, which is the initial stage of gum disease. Swollen, red gums around the impacted teeth can progress to a more severe stage of periodontal disease called periodontitis, which, if not addressed, can result in tooth loss. - Risk for Dental Abscess
Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause infections in the surrounding gums. When bacteria become trapped around partially erupted teeth, they can lead to painful swelling, inflammation, and even the development of a dental abscess, which may require immediate treatment to prevent the spread of infection.
Given the risk associated with impacted third molars, it’s essential to be cautious about your oral health. Through regular dental check-ups, the condition of your wisdom teeth can be assessed as early as possible. This approach can help determine the appropriate course of action to prevent future complications. By addressing these concerns early, you can protect your dental health and prevent more complex issues.
How Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Crowding and Misalignment
Retaining impacted third molars can affect the alignment of the rest of the teeth. Here’s a detailed explanation:
- Pressure from impacted wisdom teeth:
When wisdom teeth do not have enough space to grow, they press against adjacent teeth, gradually pushing them out of place. This can cause overlapping or crowding of teeth, particularly in the lower front teeth, which are more prone to movement. - Misalignment of the bite:
The shifting caused by impacted third molars can also lead to a misaligned bite. As teeth move, they can change the way the upper and lower teeth meet together. When this happens, it can cause chewing difficulties, discomfort, and increased wear on the teeth. - Need for orthodontic treatment:
Once crowding or misalignment occurs, orthodontic intervention, such as braces or clear aligners, may be required. This might be recommended to realign the teeth. In some cases, the treatment may involve the removal of wisdom teeth to create the necessary space for realignment.
The pressure exerted by retained wisdom teeth can gradually affect the entire alignment of your smile, causing aesthetic concerns and functional issues. Monitoring the growth of wisdom teeth during regular dental visits can help prevent these complications and maintain the proper alignment of your teeth.
The Potential for Cysts and Tumours with Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth not only pose risks to oral hygiene but can also create an environment conducive to the development of cysts and, in rare cases, tumours. The studies show that approximately 2.24% of impacted wisdom teeth are associated with cyst formation, while around 1.16% are linked to the development of tumours. While the incidence remains relatively low, they are significant enough to warrant attention, particularly given that some of these conditions can progress without noticeable symptoms.
The most common cyst associated with impacted wisdom teeth is the dentigerous cyst, which forms around the crown of an unerupted tooth. While commonly benign, this type of cyst can expand over time, causing damage to the jawbone, adjacent teeth, and other surrounding tissues. In some cases, this can lead to structural weakening of the jaw.
Tumours, though rarer, are still a potential complication of impacted wisdom teeth. The most frequent tumour associated with these teeth is ameloblastoma, a benign but locally aggressive tumour that can cause significant damage if neglected. Malignant tumours in this area are exceedingly rare (around 0.05% of cases).
Both cysts and tumours associated with third molars can have serious implications for overall oral health. These conditions often require surgical intervention to allow the removal of wisdom teeth and problematic tissues. Early detection through regular dental appointments allows for timely intervention, reducing the likelihood of long-term complications and preserving oral health.
The Benefits of Early Assessment of the Need for Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Early assessment of wisdom teeth is key to avoiding future dental complications and maintaining good oral health. By evaluating the position and growth of wisdom teeth early, dentists can detect potential problems, including impaction, crowding, or misalignment of teeth or bites, before they cause significant issues.
- Preventing Impaction
As we’ve mentioned, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to various problems, from persistent pain and swelling to infections. Early assessment helps identify teeth that may struggle to erupt properly. If extraction is recommended early, patients can avoid complications such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, or damage to neighbouring teeth. - Reducing the Risk of Dental Misalignment
When wisdom teeth are not addressed, time can allow them to continue gradually pushing against other surrounding teeth, causing overcrowding and misalignment. Early removal of third molars reduces the risk of this happening, which can also mean preventing the need for orthodontic treatments. - Avoiding Surgical Complications
The earlier wisdom teeth are removed, the less complicated the extraction procedure tends to be. In younger patients, the roots of the wisdom teeth are not yet fully developed, making them easier to extract. This can lead to quicker recovery times, fewer complications, and a reduced risk of infections or damage to surrounding structures. - Long-term Oral Health
Early and regular assessments allow your dentist to monitor your wisdom teeth. This provides an opportunity for them to recommend whether a tooth extraction procedure is necessary. This prevents potential problems like cysts, tumours, and gum disease from developing and affecting long-term oral health. It also allows any treatment to be done in the most precise and least invasive way possible.
Final Thoughts
The impaction of a wisdom tooth can have an adverse impact on your oral health, resulting in a range of complications if ignored. These include severe pain at the back of your mouth and referred discomfort, affecting the jaws, neck, ears, and temples of the head. Retaining impacted wisdom teeth can also increase the risk of dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth crowding.
In addition, more serious health risks, such as dental abscesses, cysts, and tumours, can develop around impacted third molar teeth. These could occur even without any early symptoms.
Addressing third molar problems early through regular assessments is essential for maintaining your dental health. If you’ve experienced any symptoms or are concerned about the condition of your wisdom teeth, it’s crucial to consult a dental professional. At Maylands Dental Centre, our team of dentists is here to provide comprehensive evaluation and compassionate care. Contact our clinic today or visit our website to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you maintain a healthy smile.