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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffImpacted wisdom teeth that aren't removed can cause numerous problems. These problems include:
- Gum disease. Bacteria and food can become trapped under a flap of gum that can grow over wisdom teeth, creating infections. Gum disease may be initially mild (gingivitis) or progress to a more severe form (periodontitis).
- Crowding. A wisdom tooth can push on other teeth, damaging them or moving them out of position.
- Decay. Because they're hard to reach, wisdom teeth may not get fully cleaned during brushing, making them vulnerable to decay and cavities.
- Cysts. The crown of a wisdom tooth grows in a sac. If the sac remains in the jawbone, it can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves. Very rarely a tumor, usually benign, also may develop, which may require removal of tissue and bone.
