What is a Horizontal Impaction?

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Have you been told that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed due to one or more horizontal impactions in Indianapolis, IN? If this is the first time you’ve heard of this occurring, it can sound quite scary. But your dentist at Indiana Emergency Dental is very experienced with horizontal impactions. Here’s what you need to know:

What is a Horizontal Impaction?

A “regular” impacted tooth is one that fails to erupt above the gum line, even though it’s in the vertical position. It most often happens with wisdom teeth, although it can happen with any tooth. A horizontal impaction is when the tooth is not positioned correctly in the first place; it’s in a horizontal or diagonal position, and not “pointing” upward as it should. Teeth in this horizontal position will not erupt above the gum line, so they are impacted. The most important thing to know about a horizontal impaction is that it’s a kind of emergency. The reason is that if it’s not promptly addressed, other dental problems will occur. This is why such a tooth must be extracted or remedied in another manner.

Causes of Horizontal Impactions

The most common reason why horizontal impactions occur is a lack of space in the jaw. Heredity is part of the puzzle, but there could be other developmental issues at play that factor into why a person may develop a horizontal impaction. Remember, different people have different jaw sizes, too. So, even if heredity is not a factor in an individual case, the size of their jaw may have contributed to the horizontal impaction.

Your emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN will regularly check your teeth for any potential problems, including horizontal impactions. Please contact us today to book your next dentist appointment or to learn more.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction for Horizontal Impactions

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Wisdom teeth that grow horizontally can cause intense pain, so most people are motivated to have them removed as quickly as possible. While you may feel anxious about horizontal impactions in Indianapolis IN, you can feel confident knowing that Dr. Garry has more than 30 years of experience performing such procedures. He and his dental staff will make sure that you feel comfortable throughout the extraction procedure and provide you with instructions on how to care for your oral health at home afterward.

What is Horizontal Wisdom Tooth Impaction?

The wisdom teeth are a set of unnecessary third molars that some people get, and others do not. Among those who have wisdom teeth attempt to erupt, they may not get an entire set. Wisdom teeth typically occur in the late teens to early 20s, although people can get them sooner or later than this timeframe.

The term impaction refers to teeth that cannot erupt fully through the gums due to lack of space. Horizontal impaction means that the wisdom teeth below the gum line are growing left to right instead of vertically. As you can imagine, unnecessary teeth attempting to grow in the wrong direction often cause pain that typical non-prescription medications cannot touch. Below are some other signs that you may have one or more horizontally impacted wisdom teeth.

  • Chronic bad breath
  • Unpleasant taste in your mouth, despite brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash
  • Not being able to open your mouth wide
  • Redness
  • Swelling

Even when you experience all these symptoms, you usually cannot see the wisdom tooth causing you so much distress. We encourage you to contact Indiana Emergency Dental for an immediate evaluation if you think you could have horizontal impactions in Indianapolis IN. We look forward to helping you feel better soon.

Top 3 Signs You May Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted

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Those pesky wisdom teeth! They often try to erupt at inconvenient times, causing pain and disrupting your smile. But how do you know if a wisdom tooth extraction is essential?

The professional team at Indiana Emergency Dental of Indianapolis, IN, is proud to serve the local community with impeccable dental care services, including wisdom teeth extractions, to better care for the smiles of tomorrow.

What is a 3D Panoramic Wisdom Teeth Service?

A 3D panoramic X-ray provides a detailed, computer-generated image of your entire jaw and mouth structure, including your wisdom teeth. This advanced technology allows us to precisely locate your wisdom teeth, even those hidden beneath the gum line or growing sideways (horizontal impactions).

Signs You May Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Here are three key signs that might indicate the need for a wisdom tooth extraction:

  1. Pain and Discomfort: Wisdom teeth often erupt with pain, especially if there’s not enough space in your jaw to grow properly. You might experience pressure, throbbing pain, or general discomfort in the back of your mouth.
  2. Impaction: When a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to erupt fully and remains trapped under the gum line, it’s considered impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, inflammation, and even damage to surrounding teeth.
  3. Infection: Due to their location, wisdom teeth can be challenging to clean, leading to gum infections and inflammation. This can cause pain, swelling, and sensitivity in the affected area.

Your Local Quality Dental Care Expert

If you’re experiencing these signs, schedule an appointment with your dentist. We will perform a thorough examination and use 3D panoramic technology if needed to determine the best course of action for your wisdom teeth.

During your next appointment with the quality team at Indiana Emergency Dental of Indianapolis, IN, you can be sure you are receiving the best possible care and guidance that you and your family deserve.

Emergency Wisdom Teeth Removal: What You Should Know

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An impacted or infected wisdom tooth can be more than an annoyance; it can be downright debilitating to your health. This is not a case of suffering through the pain until it recedes because you may be dealing with a life-threatening problem. If you think you might be having an emergency, learn more about when to call a specialist immediately.

When You Shouldn’t Wait 

We’ll start with the most extreme scenario so you know the stakes. While uncommon, an abscessedwisdom tooth in Indianapolis, IN, can result in death. This is because infection doesn’t always simply stay within your mouth, it can travel to other vital organs and shut them down.

It’s important to understand that abscesses are usually slow to move, meaning you’re unlikely to face life-threatening complications. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take action as quickly as possible. If you’re feeling intense pain/swelling, have a high fever, or see pus forming around the wisdom teeth, this is a time to call the dentist. Other signs of an emergency include fractured or broken wisdom teeth (even if you’re not in pain), as these can negatively impact the surrounding teeth and gums.

How to Find the Best Emergency Dentist in Indianapolis, IN

Anemergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN, will evaluate the situation before determining whether to extract. While it can be difficult to make the call, you should know that extractions are a routine service for all dentists, and they tend to be far less eventful than people realize. Emergency wisdom teeth removal has nothing to do with whether you can tough it through. If you’re looking for a reputable, professional team to take care of the problem, contact Indiana Emergency Dental today.

Unlocking the Mystery Behind 3D Panoramic X-rays for Wisdom Teeth

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Are you looking for adentist in Indianapolis, IN, who can assist you with your wisdom teeth? If so, you might be interested in learning more about 3-D panoramic X-rays. These advanced imaging techniques offer your dentist a more thorough perspective of your teeth and jaws, enabling them to diagnose and treat issues effectively.

What Are 3-D Panoramic X-Rays Used for When It Comes to Wisdom Teeth?

The 3-D panoramic X-rays that dentists in Indianapolis, IN, utilize use a specialized machine that captures detailed images of your entire mouth, including your teeth and jaws. Unlike X-rays that only provide a two-dimensional view of your teeth, 3-D panoramic X-rays offer a three-dimensional view of your entire mouth. This enables dentists to observe your teeth and jaws from all angles, making identifying any issues easier.

What Information Does a 3-D Tooth X-Ray Reveal?

A 3-D tooth X-ray can provide dentists with information regarding your teeth and jaws. For instance, it can uncover the position of your wisdom teeth and determine whether they are impacted or not. Additionally, it can indicate the location of any cavities or other dental problems that may be present.

Are Panoramic X-Rays Necessary for Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Dentists often rely on X-rays to determine ifwisdom teeth extraction in Indianapolis, IN, is necessary. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or growing at an angle, they can cause issues like pain, infection, and damage to neighboring teeth. By using an X-ray, your dentist can decide on the best approach for removing your wisdom teeth.

What Is the Difference Between a Panoramic Scan and a Cone Beam Scan?

While both types of scans capture 3-D images of your teeth and jaws, they differ. Panoramic scans employ an X-ray beam to capture images of your mouth, whereas cone beam scans use a cone-shaped beam to obtain more detailed images of specific areas. Dentists typically utilize cone beam scans for dental procedures such as implant placement.

Searching for a Dentist in Indianapolis, IN?

If you’re in need of a dentist in Indianapolis who can assist you with your wisdom teeth concerns, we encourage you to reach out toIndiana Emergency Dental today. You don’t want to put off getting treatment when it comes to wisdom teeth. And we offer emergency dental treatment, too!

The Impacted Truth: Dealing with Impacted Wisdom Teeth

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Through the use of3D panoramic X-rays in Indianapolis, IN, dentists can see when a wisdom tooth is impacted. This is an important step if you suspect your wisdom teeth do not have room to grow and need to be extracted. However, many patients have questions about why wisdom teeth become impacted and what can happen as a result of the problem. Take a look at a few important things to know about dealing with impacted wisdom teeth below.

Why Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Impaction

Wisdom teeth cause impaction because there is not enough space in the jawline for the teeth to grow upright or aligned. The teeth may be twisted, growing at an angle, or otherwise, which can put pressure on the surrounding teeth.

The Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Impaction

Wisdom tooth impaction can have almost undetectable symptoms in the early stages. For example, an individual may have periodic jaw pain without a viable explanation. Or, an individual may have gum soreness or inflammation around the teeth surrounding the wisdom tooth. As the issue progresses, other symptoms can emerge, such as:

  • Toothaches without signs of decay
  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Consistent jaw pain

Potential Complications of Wisdom Tooth Impaction

Impacted wisdom teeth can be prone to decay, but they can also generate issues for the rest of the teeth. For example, if the wisdom tooth is allowed to grow in an awkward position, this can cause the rest of the teeth to crowd together, change the shape of the smile, and even heighten the risks of decay in the rest of the mouth.

Discuss Wisdom Teeth Issues with a Qualified Indianapolis Dentist 

While issues with wisdom teeth are easy to overlook for a while, impaction can become a serious threat to your overall oral health. Therefore, be sure to reach out to anIndianapolis dentist as soon as possible for advice. Contact the team at Indiana Emergency Dental to set up a consultation.