Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are a relatively common teeth problem in children as the permanent teeth replace their baby teeth.

What causes impacted teeth?

An impaction occurs when one or more teeth fails to grow in the correct position and is held below the normal gum line.

The teeth can be completely buried or partially visible. This is usually caused by insufficient space in the mouth for the tooth to erupt. This can be hereditary, or it may be due to overcrowding or early removal of children’s baby teeth.

Often, parents will notice the child’s teeth are crowded or the adjacent teeth are flaring out instead of growing straight. A dental examination and x-rays are required to determine the extent of the impaction, and the treatment required.

Why are impacted teeth a problem?

Impacted teeth can push against the adjacent teeth, contributing to misalignment of the bite, inflammation and infection. For this reason, it is important to treat impacted teeth promptly.

What’s the treatment for impacted teeth?

The most common impacted tooth is the wisdom tooth (third molar), which are the last teeth to emerge, most often between the ages of 17 and 21. Impacted wisdom teeth are usually surgically removed.

The upper canines (eye teeth) are the second most common impacted teeth. As these are important for appearance and function, it is preferred to surgically expose the tooth and force it to erupt, then straighten using braces.

How can  you prevent impactions?

It is important to have children’s canine teeth assessed by a dentist at 9 years of age before they erupt. The dentist will ensure their positioning is correct and reduce impactions which are difficult to treat if left later.

If you are concerned about the positioning about your child’s teeth, see your dentist. Using a dental x-ray, they can evaluate the position of your child’s teeth and determine what action is needed.

To locate a child-friendly dentist near you, simply enter your postcode on the My Kids Dentist website.