Wisdom Teeth Extraction

What is an Impacted Tooth?

Most adults develop 32 permanent teeth, but often their jaws lack sufficient space to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When these teeth are unable to erupt properly due to limited space, they are termed impacted wisdom teeth. This means they cannot emerge into the correct position for chewing or cleaning.

Types of Impactions

To determine if wisdom tooth removal is necessary, a consultation is required. During this visit, a panoramic x-ray (panorex) of your mouth and jaws will be taken to assess whether your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is adequate space for eruption, and the complexity of potential removal.

• Soft Tissue Impaction: Insufficient space prevents the gum tissue from retracting fully, making it difficult to clean the tooth properly.
• Partial Bony Impaction: The wisdom tooth has enough space to partially erupt but cannot function effectively for chewing and poses cleaning challenges, among other issues.
• Complete Bony Impaction: No space exists for the tooth to erupt, leaving it fully embedded in the jawbone. If partially visible, complex surgical techniques are needed for removal. This situation may be further complicated by an unusual tooth position or the shape and size of the jawbone and surrounding facial structures, increasing the difficulty of extraction.