impaction

Impaction is the state of being blocked or prevented from moving forward. In medical usage, it describes a blockage that develops when normal passage of contents is obstructed by accumulated material, lodged foreign bodies, or by failure of a structure to erupt or emerge.

Fecal impaction occurs when stool becomes so hard and dry that it cannot be passed, often after chronic constipation or opioid use, dehydration, immobility, and neurological disorders. Symptoms include inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and sometimes leakage of liquid stool. Diagnosis is clinical and may involve abdominal examination and imaging. Treatment includes disimpaction (manual, or with enemas or laxatives), followed by stool softeners, increased dietary fiber and fluids, and addressing underlying causes. Severe cases can require hospitalization. Complications include bowel perforation, infection, or stercoral ulcers.

Dental impaction refers to a tooth that fails to erupt into the dental arch within the expected developmental window. Commonly affected are wisdom teeth (third molars) and maxillary canines. Causes include lack of space, crowding, abnormal tooth angulation, thick overlying bone or soft tissue, and genetic factors. Symptoms may be dull pain, swelling, or asymptomatic. Diagnosis is by dental examination and imaging, such as panoramic radiography. Management ranges from observation in asymptomatic mild cases to surgical extraction or exposure and orthodontic guidance in others. Potential complications include resorption of adjacent teeth, cyst formation, infection, and cystic or dentigerous lesions.