All Middlesex Health locations are open and providing patient care. We are now closed to visitors, unless you are making a compassionate visit. // LEARN MORE
Middlesex Health can now evaluate those with respiratory symptoms in a designated area outside of our
All Middlesex Health locations are open and providing patient care. We are now closed to visitors, unless you are making a compassionate visit. // LEARN MORE
Middlesex Health can now evaluate those with respiratory symptoms in a designated area outside of our Emergency Department in Middletown. COVID-19 testing will be provided for patients who meet certain criteria. // LEARN MORE
Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to emerge or develop normally.
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come into the mouth (erupt). Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth — two on the top, two on the bottom.
Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to other teeth and other dental problems. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may cause no apparent or immediate problems. But because they're hard to clean, they may be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth are.
Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental complications are usually removed. Some dentists and oral surgeons also recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth that don't cause symptoms to prevent future problems.
Impacted wisdom teeth don't always cause symptoms. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth or causes other dental problems, you may experience some of these signs or symptoms:
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Swelling around the jaw
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth
When to see a doctor
See your dentist if you experience symptoms in the area behind your last molar that may be associated with an impacted wisdom tooth.
Wisdom teeth (third molars) become impacted because they don't have enough room to come in (erupt) or develop normally.
Wisdom teeth usually emerge sometime between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people have wisdom teeth that emerge without any problems and line up with the other teeth behind the second molars. In many cases, however, the mouth is too crowded for third mola