Problems Caused by Impacted Teeth
Problems Caused by Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth are a common but often unnoticed problem in oral and dental health. Teeth that fail to reach their normal eruption position because they remain under the jawbone or gum tissue are defined as “impacted teeth.” While the most common impacted teeth are wisdom teeth, canines and, more rarely, premolars may also remain impacted. Although this condition may not always cause symptoms, it can lead to serious health problems over time.
In this article, we will comprehensively address the problems caused by impacted teeth and explain in detail why early diagnosis and proper treatment are so important.
What Is an Impacted Tooth and Why Does It Occur?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that cannot erupt into the oral cavity despite the appropriate eruption time, due to insufficient jaw space, incorrect tooth positioning, or genetic factors. Wisdom teeth located in the lower jaw often remain impacted because of jaw narrowing.
The main causes include:
- Insufficient space in the jawbone
- Tooth developing at an incorrect angle
- Failure of the primary tooth to fall out on time
- Genetic predisposition
- Pressure from adjacent teeth
These factors cause the tooth to become trapped beneath the gum tissue or within the jawbone.
Pain and Discomfort
One of the most common problems caused by impacted teeth is pain. When a tooth is fully or partially impacted, it puts pressure on the surrounding tissues. Over time, this pressure may manifest as jaw pain, aching around the ear, and headaches.
Especially in partially impacted teeth, the space between the tooth and the gum creates an ideal environment for bacteria, which can intensify the pain.
Gum Infection and Inflammation (Pericoronitis)
One of the most frequent problems caused by impacted teeth is gum infection. The gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted tooth can easily become inflamed. This condition is known as pericoronitis.
Symptoms include:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Bad breath
- Fever
If left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues and even to the throat area.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth
Impacted teeth can cause serious damage by exerting pressure on neighboring healthy teeth. As a result, root resorption may occur in adjacent teeth. In addition, the areas that are difficult to clean between the impacted tooth and neighboring teeth carry a high risk of decay.
Such cavities are often detected late and can be more difficult to treat. In advanced cases, loss of the adjacent tooth may even occur.
Risk of Jaw Cysts and Tumors
Teeth that remain impacted for a long time may lead to cyst formation around them. The follicular tissue surrounding the tooth can transform into a cyst over time. These cysts are usually painless and are often detected during routine X-ray examinations.
If left untreated, they may cause:
- Bone resorption in the jaw
- Displacement of teeth
- Weakening of the jaw structure
In rare cases, some cysts may carry a risk of tumor formation.
Bad Breath and Hygiene Problems
Impacted or partially impacted teeth negatively affect oral hygiene. Food debris accumulates in areas that toothbrushes and dental floss cannot reach. These accumulations lead to bacterial growth and cause bad breath.
Persistent bad breath can negatively affect a person’s social life and self-confidence.
Orthodontic Problems
Impacted teeth can cause orthodontic problems, especially at a young age. A tooth positioned incorrectly can disrupt the alignment of other teeth, leading to crowding, shifting, and bite problems.
In some cases, impacted teeth may prolong orthodontic treatment or require changes to the treatment plan.
Jaw and Joint Problems
Long-term issues related to impacted teeth can also affect the jaw joint. Continuous pain and pressure may cause joint sensitivity, clicking sounds, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
Over time, this can contribute to the development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Do Impacted Teeth Always Need to Be Extracted?
Not every impacted tooth must be extracted. If the tooth does not damage surrounding tissues, does not pose an infection risk, and can be monitored with regular check-ups, extraction may not be necessary. However, impacted teeth with the potential to cause problems should be evaluated early.
The dentist will make the most appropriate decision based on clinical examination and radiographic imaging.
Importance of Early Diagnosis and Regular Check-Ups
Many of the problems caused by impacted teeth can be prevented with early diagnosis. Regular dental check-ups and panoramic X-rays are highly effective in monitoring the condition of impacted teeth.
Especially between the ages of 17 and 25, routine examinations help prevent serious complications in the future.
Although impacted teeth may go unnoticed at first, they can lead to many serious problems over time, ranging from pain and infection to jaw cysts and tooth loss. Therefore, impacted teeth should not be neglected; they should be monitored through regular check-ups, and appropriate treatment should be planned when necessary.
It should be remembered that early intervention means both a more comfortable treatment process and a healthy oral structure in the long term.
The images used in this content do not belong to a real patient. The visuals are stock photos obtained from online content provider image platforms.
Publication Date: 26.1.2026
Editor: Uğur Aktaş
Contact Number: +90 545 450 71 41
Contact Email: info@snyclinic.co
