Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Consequences of impacted wisdom teeth
• Pericoronitis
Usually seen in the lower jaw.
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Food debris and bacteria are easily trapped in the space between the crown of the
wisdom tooth and the overlying gingiva (gum), resulting in the infection of the
periodontal tissues (Pericoronitis). Furthermore, the infected, swollen overlying
gingiva is often bitten by the opposing tooth making it difficult to recover.
Pericoronitis has the following signs and symptoms:
• Pain and swelling of the cheek
• Difficulty in opening the mouth
• Pain when swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Dental Caries
Since it is difficult to clean the surfaces between the impacted tooth and the adjacent
tooth in front, dental plaque will accumulate there and cause Dental Caries on these
tooth surfaces.
• Root resorption of the neighbouring tooth
The inflammation of the periodontal tissues caused by the dental plaque, together
with the pressure of the wisdom tooth pushing on the adjacent tooth in front, may
cause the root of the adjacent tooth to resorb.
• Causes pathological changes, such as cysts.
