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An ectopic tooth, also known as an impacted tooth, is a tooth that develops in an abnormal position and fails to erupt into its normal location in the oral cavity. [1] [2] Ectopic teeth can cause a variety of symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and infection, and they can lead to more serious complications if left untreated.
Impacted wisdom teeth are classified by their direction of impaction, their depth compared to the biting surface of adjacent teeth and the amount of the tooth's crown that extends through gum tissue or bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can also be classified by the presence or absence of symptoms and disease. Screening for the presence of wisdom ...
Because impacted teeth do not erupt, they are retained throughout the individual's lifetime unless extracted or exposed surgically. Teeth may become impacted because of adjacent teeth, dense overlying bone, excessive soft tissue or a genetic abnormality. Most often, the cause of impaction is inadequate arch length and space in which to erupt.
Malocclusion is a common finding, [22] [23] although it is not usually serious enough to require treatment. Those who have more severe malocclusions, which present as a part of craniofacial anomalies, may require orthodontic and sometimes surgical treatment (orthognathic surgery) to correct the problem.
Sometimes impacted wisdom teeth (wisdom teeth that are stuck and unable to grow normally into the mouth) cause recurrent infections of the gum (pericoronitis), and may be removed when other conservative treatments have failed (cleaning, antibiotics and operculectomy).
Working to improve your gum health and prevent gum disease can actually improve your overall health, too.
Trauma to the tissues, such as serious impact on a tooth or excessive pressure exerted on teeth during orthodontic treatment, can be a possible cause as well. [17] Occlusal overload may also be involved in the development of a periodontal abscess, but this is rare and usually occurs in combination with other factors.
If a tooth is avulsed, make sure it is a permanent tooth (primary teeth should not be replanted, and instead the injury site should be cleaned to allow the adult tooth to begin to erupt). Reassure the patient and keep them calm. If the tooth can be found, pick it up by the crown (the white part). Avoid touching the root part.