A wisdom tooth may erupt late in your 20’s, but it might not bud up completely at times if the wisdom tooth gets stuck in the gum, a soft tissue, or within the jaw bone. There is a chance of developing a dentigerous cyst. Hence, you may be wondering what is this? Will it cause any major complications? How can it be treated? This article will answer all these questions that are shrouding your mind.
What Are Dentigerous Cysts?
It’s the second most common type of dental cyst that may bother you when you are in your 20’s and early 30’s. Interestingly, this age span is when your wisdom tooth tends to erupt. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the jaw bone and soft tissue near an unerupted tooth, especially around molars and canines. Now, on their own, they are benign and won’t bother you much until it grows to a size that’s hard for you to ignore or the cyst gets infected.
What Are Complications Of Cysts?
Cysts are usually harmless, and you cannot even feel the presence of small ones less than 2cm in diameter. However, what starts small can take a grim turn. First of all, this fluid-filled sac can get infected, and with time the infection can spread and reach other nearby body parts.
Furthermore, complications like tooth loss and jaw fracture can also develop due to cysts around the wisdom tooth. However, this is not the end of the list, untreated cysts can also lead to ameloblastoma, which is a benign jaw tumor.
How Do You Know That You Have Cyst Around Your Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
The size of the cyst determines its detectability. Smaller cysts, usually less than 2cm in diameter, can be symptomless, so they cannot be detected without an X-ray. Dentists can detect it from a dental X-ray, then for further confirmation, the dentist will recommend a CT-Scan or an MRI.
On the other hand, larger cysts, more than 2cm in diameter, can reveal its presence these tell-tale signs:
– Swelling
– tooth sensitivity
– tooth displacement
You can even feel the gap in-between teeth rising because of cysts growing and pushing them apart.
Dentists can detect larger cysts during their routine inspection without a dental X-ray.
What Is The Treatment?
Smaller cysts are removed through surgery. However, for larger ones, your dentist will make an incision to drain the cyst of its fluid. Then the dentist will stick the ends in a way that the cyst won’t form again.
Conclusion:
Wisdom Tooth Cysts are nothing to be afraid of, and your dentist can get rid of them in no time. Therefore, if you notice an unusual bump in your gums or jaw, visit a dentist as soon as possible. Furthermore, regular dental visits can help you battle against cyst as well because your dentist can detect a small cyst early and remove it without it causing complications. For routine checkups, opt for Brookshire Family Dental you can call us 281-934-1010 at for more details.