Tooth blocking, more accurately described as a tooth being impacted, refers to a tooth that is prevented from erupting through the gum line into its correct position in the mouth. This blockage can be caused by various factors.
Here's a breakdown of tooth impaction:
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Definition: An impacted tooth is one that is physically obstructed from emerging fully into the oral cavity. It remains trapped beneath the gum tissue or bone.
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Common Occurrences:
- Impacted teeth are most frequently seen with wisdom teeth (third molars).
- They can also affect other teeth, like canines.
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Causes:
- Lack of space: The jaw may be too small to accommodate all the teeth.
- Obstruction: Other teeth, bone, or soft tissue may block the eruption path.
- Abnormal tooth position: The tooth may be angled incorrectly, preventing normal eruption.
- Genetic factors: Some individuals are predisposed to impactions.
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Consequences:
- Pain and discomfort: Pressure from the impacted tooth can cause pain in the jaw, face, or head.
- Infection: The area around the impacted tooth can become infected (pericoronitis).
- Damage to adjacent teeth: An impacted tooth can put pressure on neighboring teeth, causing damage or misalignment.
- Cyst formation: A cyst can develop around the impacted tooth.
- Difficulty chewing: Pain and inflammation can make chewing difficult.
- Bad breath: Infection can contribute to bad breath.
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Treatment:
- Extraction: Removal of the impacted tooth is the most common treatment.
- Exposure and Bracketing: In some cases, an orthodontist can expose the impacted tooth surgically and attach a bracket to it, using orthodontic forces to guide it into the correct position. This is often used for impacted canines.
In essence, "tooth blocking" implies that something is physically hindering a tooth from erupting normally, which is technically called impaction.
