If food trapped around a wisdom tooth is left untreated, you could lose a healthy tooth: Preservability as seen at a dental clinic near Gaerong Station

Hello.

We are Yonsei Dagam Dental Clinic near Gaerong Station.

Wisdom teeth are an area that often causes problems for our oral health.

In particular, when they do not erupt along the proper path and only partially erupt in a tilted position,

many people experience food getting stuck around the wisdom tooth frequently.

This can be the cause of various oral problems.

As shown in the photo presented at the dental clinic near Gaerong Station,

if the lower right wisdom tooth (#48) leans toward the second molar (#47) and erupts in the wrong direction,

a space forms between the teeth, creating an environment where food can easily become trapped.

Because it is located deep in the mouth, it is also difficult to clean with a toothbrush or floss.

When food is left trapped due to these causes, problems occur.

This is because when food remains for a long time, bacteria multiply actively and cause cavities.

In the case shown at the dental clinic near Gaerong Station, food impaction occurred,

and a fairly deep and extensive cavity had progressed in the second molar, causing pain as well.

When a cavity has progressed to the root area of the tooth, general restorative treatment becomes difficult.

Even if treatment is attempted, the prognosis is often poor, so extraction is recommended in most cases.

However, some people feel burdened by losing a tooth and, even if there is risk,

want to try to save it.

This case was one of those situations, and based on the opinion, we planned treatment to preserve the tooth. First, the wisdom tooth that caused the problem needs to be removed.

During this process, we proceeded carefully so that no additional damage would occur.

When decay is already severe, the crown of the second molar can fracture.

After removing it safely, root canal treatment was performed.

When the area damaged by decay is extensive, treatment is not only difficult,

but making an accurate crown is also challenging.

Above all, there is a high possibility that discomfort will continue even after treatment.

This is because the structural stability of the tooth has already been significantly compromised.

Therefore, in such cases, special care is needed even after treatment.

It is better not to chew hard foods on that area,

and if you have habits such as clenching your teeth, additional effort is needed to improve them.

This is because excessive occlusal force adds additional stress,

which can shorten the lifespan of the prosthetic restoration.

Fortunately, at the dental clinic near Gaerong Station, regular follow-up examinations after treatment confirmed

that the treated area was being maintained well.

As a result, perhaps because it helped improve quality of life, the missing tooth on the opposite side is also currently being treated with an implant. What we want to emphasize through this case at the dental clinic near Gaerong Station is the importance of prevention.

Wisdom teeth in which food gets stuck frequently are better removed as a preventive measure,

which helps protect the health of the surrounding teeth.

That said, not all wisdom teeth are candidates for extraction.

If they have erupted in a normal shape and are functioning properly,

or if oral hygiene is well maintained and there is no concern that they will cause particular problems,

it is fine to leave them alone.

However, as in the case shown at the dental clinic near Gaerong Station, if they are left untreated,

serious decay can progress in the adjacent tooth, and it may ultimately be lost.

For that reason, sometimes deciding to remove a wisdom tooth before problems arise

can be a wise choice for protecting the health of the remaining teeth.

Please obtain an accurate diagnosis through an examination and decide after consulting a specialist.

This has been Yonsei Dagam Dental Clinic near Gaerong Station.

Thank you.

2025.05.03~2025.05.12