Dongdae Entrance Station Dental Clinic: If I neglect an impacted wisdom tooth, will my gums swell and smell? (Gingivitis, Tooth Decay, Root Canal Treatment)

Hello.

I am Dr. Kim Tae-young, the head director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic.^^

Dentistry seems to be the medical field most widely perceived as vaguely scary.

The whirring sound from the treatment room,

and the fact that treatment is performed inside the mouth while the eyes are covered, are said to intensify the fear.

That's why, for every patient who visits,

to help alleviate their anxiety,

we provide detailed explanations and assist them in taking breaks during the procedure.

Consequently, even if their homes are not nearby,

we have patients who visit after work or travel from afar,

which is very rewarding.^^

A common remark from patients visiting Dongdae Entrance Station Dental Clinic after a long time is:

I was scared of the dentist, so I deliberated for a few weeks before coming.

It's said that dentophobia is scarier than a toothache.

For patients who bravely come for treatment,

we ensure pain-free anesthesia,

provide ample time, and communicate during the procedure to help them receive comfortable treatment.

However,

for teeth that already show symptoms, cavities, gingivitis, or periodontitis have progressed to some extent,

and treatment must be carried out.

Today, we will explore the symptoms and pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth.

The article isn't long,

so investing just 5 minutes to read it would be beneficial.^^

If you look at my previous posts, the question is always whether wisdom teeth should always be extracted.

Today's case involves food getting trapped due to a partially impacted wisdom tooth,

leading to deep cavities in the wisdom tooth and surrounding teeth.

I want to have my painful wisdom tooth extracted.

Both lower wisdom teeth are lying down.

The most difficult aspect of managing impacted wisdom teeth is

that food gets stuck in between,

and it cannot be effectively removed.

If this continues,

it can cause cavities in surrounding teeth,

and is a cause of gingivitis, periodontitis, and bad breath.

We extracted the symptomatic impacted wisdom tooth first,

and the adjacent tooth had a severe cavity, also requiring root canal treatment.

I explained the situation while showing the wisdom tooth CT scan.

Those who frequently read my blog might find this image familiar.

The root tip is slightly curved, and it appears to be in contact with the nerve,

but we successfully extracted it carefully.

After that, the cavity behind the tooth adjacent to the wisdom tooth was deep,

so we proceeded with root canal treatment.

Cavities caused by wisdom teeth

are deep, making it difficult to secure a clear view,

and there were many factors to consider when fabricating the future prosthesis.

The roots were also gathered differently from other large molars,

forming a C-shaped canal,

so we took X-rays

and confirmed the length of the root canal during treatment.

During the root canal treatment,

the patient experienced pain in the opposite impacted wisdom tooth,

so we temporarily paused the root canal treatment

and extracted that wisdom tooth as well.

The patient is an office worker

and lives some distance away,

so it took some time to complete the treatment,

but with their good cooperation during each treatment session,

we were able to finish cleanly and successfully.

Currently, one side of the prosthesis has been completed.

The white area on the X-ray indicates the prosthetic part.

Since the cavity was deep, the margin of the prosthesis was accordingly

fabricated.

Fabricating a prosthesis for a cavity that extends deep into the gum is

quite challenging, but it was successfully made to a good standard.

In cases where a partially impacted wisdom tooth has erupted

outside the gum,

food tends to get trapped easily.

If you are hesitant about immediate extraction,

it is advisable to manage it well using a Waterpik or other oral hygiene products,

or to visit the dental clinic frequently

to receive professional care.

This can prevent gum bleeding and cavities caused by surrounding gingivitis and periodontitis.

As you have diligently received treatment for a long time,

we will continue to help you maintain a healthy oral state through regular check-ups of your surrounding gums and prostheses.

For those concerned about gum inflammation, gum bleeding, or bad breath due to wisdom teeth,

please visit us for a detailed consultation.

I hope the information provided today has been of great help to you.

Thank you.^^

▼ Related cases you might find helpful ▼

We approach all our visiting patients with the same care as we would our own family.My wish is to create a trustworthy dental clinic where everyone who visits with worries can leave feeling reassured.- Bareunyoung Dental Clinic

This post was directly written by Bareunyoung Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and hospital advertising (in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act).

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems can arise if an impacted wisdom tooth is left untreated?

Yes, if an impacted wisdom tooth is left untreated, food can easily get trapped and not be effectively removed, leading to deep cavities in surrounding teeth. It can also cause gingivitis, periodontitis, and bad breath.

Is impacted wisdom tooth extraction always necessary?

No, it is not always necessary. However, extraction is required for impacted wisdom teeth that cause food impaction, leading to cavities in surrounding teeth, or symptoms such as gingivitis, periodontitis, or bad breath.

How is a cavity in an adjacent tooth caused by an impacted wisdom tooth treated?

If an adjacent tooth develops a severe cavity due to an impacted wisdom tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary. This can be a challenging treatment as the cavity depth makes it difficult to secure a clear view, and there are many factors to consider during prosthesis fabrication.

If immediate extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth is difficult, how should it be managed?

For partially impacted wisdom teeth that have erupted outside the gum, if immediate extraction is difficult, it is best to meticulously manage them with a Waterpik or other oral hygiene products, or to visit the dental clinic frequently for professional care. This helps prevent gum bleeding and cavities.

What should I do if I have a strong fear of dental treatment?

If you have dentophobia, many dental clinics help alleviate patient anxiety by providing detailed explanations and ample time, administering pain-free anesthesia, and communicating during the procedure to ensure comfortable treatment.