Why do I have a bump in place of a wisdom tooth?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a kind of bump on the side where my bottom wisdom tooth was. Also, there appears to be a little hole in the area with white stuff on it. It is behind my last bottom tooth where the wisdom tooth was removed years ago. It is sore to touch. I have attached the photo. It is not where my finger is, but behind the back tooth.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It seems that your upper wisdom tooth (if it is present or the last molar) has grown more downwards making direct contact with the gums leading to ulceration and soreness (attachment removed to protect patient identity). As you removed the lower wisdom tooth years ago, the upper tooth has kept growing without hindrance and is now hitting the lower gums while chewing.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you are referring to the area behind your molar and can see the ulceration. As there is no upper wisdom tooth, then there are three possible reasons for it. Sometimes, the upper posterior cusp of the last molar might be touching the spot, which can be seen correctly by clenching the teeth and then looking from the side. If some root portion of the lower wisdom tooth might have fractured while extraction and has remained inside, which may have now surfaced after a long time. It seems now to be a more probable cause. It can be just an ulcer, which formed due to injury while chewing food. You might need an X-ray to confirm or just need to check the site with a sterile probe by your dentist. You can use an anesthetic gel to apply over the area to get relief.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.