Impacted Teeth in Washington, D.C.

The natural tendency of teeth is to erupt through the gumline and function in their role within the dental arch. But when teeth become trapped or stuck in the jawbone or gum tissues, they are said to be impacted. Tooth impaction can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, tooth positioning may be angled or there may simply be insufficient space in the mouth for a tooth to erupt. Whatever the cause of tooth impaction might be, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Edward Delgado and Dr. Michael Kuzmik offer the skilled care needed to improve your oral health. Our talented oral surgeons work closely with general dentists, orthodontists, and referring specialists to find ideal solutions for treating impacted molars, canines, or other types of teeth. If you or a loved one has tooth impaction concerns, please arrange for a consultation at one of our Virginia oral and maxillofacial surgery offices.

Tooth impaction may affect individuals of all ages and can involve both permanent (adult) and deciduous (baby) teeth. Any tooth in the mouth can be impacted, but we most often find this condition in the canines (commonly referred to as eye teeth) and wisdom teeth, which are located in the back corners of the mouth. An impacted tooth may require treatment if it is impinging upon another tooth or threatening your health or comfort in some way. You or a family member may be a candidate for tooth impaction treatment if you have any of the following:

• Delayed tooth eruption
• Crowding of the teeth
• Supernumerary (extra) teeth
• Trauma or injury
• Tilted, rotated, or malpositioned teeth
• Insufficient space in the mouth
• Unusually small dental arch

To evaluate an impacted tooth, our team will take x-rays or iCAT™ 3D images to pinpoint its precise position within your mouth. While partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth often require extraction, alternative treatment approaches may be taken when canines, incisors, or other teeth are trapped in the jaw. This may include exposing an impacted tooth to enable orthodontic treatment or to guide the tooth into a proper eruption pattern. No treatment may be recommended in some cases, as our oral surgeons may choose to monitor any movement or changes in the positioning of the tooth. The older a patient gets, the less likely the tooth will erupt. If a surgical extraction or tooth exposure is needed, Dr. Delgado or Dr. Kuzmik can perform these treatments under local anesthesia or sedation dentistry from the comfort of our full-service surgical centers.

Aftercare instructions following treatment for impacted teeth will be provided by our caring team. If you receive oral or IV sedation for your procedure, you will need to have an adult escort you home following your appointment. It is normal to experience swelling, soreness, and other symptoms in your gums and jaw after having tooth impaction treatment. Our oral surgeons may prescribe medications to help ease your comfort as you heal. Tips on how to care for the treatment area will also be provided. It is best to avoid tobacco use, drinking through a straw, and spitting in the first few days following a tooth extraction. A follow-up visit with Dr. Delgado or Dr. Kuzmik may be scheduled so they can monitor your healing progress.

Wisdom tooth extractions and other treatment options for impacted teeth may be covered under dental insurance. A member of our billing team will review your insurance plan and help you maximize your benefits before calculating any out-of-pocket expenses. Our oral and maxillofacial surgery practices are pleased to accept a range of flexible payment options, including medical financing through CareCredit®.

Tooth impaction may be common, but leaving these teeth untreated can increase the risk for crowding of the teeth, cysts, infection, pain, or other oral concerns. For this reason, it is best to seek treatment from an experienced surgeon who can help manage this condition while preserving your oral structures. To learn more about tooth impactions or how this condition might be treated, please schedule a visit to meet with Dr. Delgado or Dr. Kuzmik at one of our Virginia oral surgery practices.