Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Oral Surgeon, Eric D. Ferrara, DDS, provides information about Wisdom Teeth and an overview of the types of impacted teeth that need surgery.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Third molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. They are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth, behind your second molars. Their development is usually completed between the middle teenage years and early twenties, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
What Is An Impacted Tooth?
Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, many times their jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting they are called impacted. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.
Types Of Impactions
We will need to see you for a consultation to determine if you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. A special x-ray of your mouth and jaws (panorex) will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is room for them to erupt, and how difficult it will be to have them removed.
- Soft Tissue Impaction: There is not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction: There is enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially erupt. However, the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process, and creates cleaning problems, among others.
- Complete Bony Impaction: There is NO space for the tooth to erupt. It remains embedded in the jaw bone or if even partially visible requires complex surgical techniques for removal.The impacted wisdom tooth may also be in an unusual position and difficult to remove. This situation can also arise when the shape or size of the jaw bone and other facial structures make removal of this tooth significantly more complex.
Soft Tissue
Partial Bony
Complete BonySouthern Oral Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Everything was great. This was my first oral surgical procedure and it was better than expected.
- Shakiera B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great experience! Everyone is very nice and welcoming!
- Millicent O R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Researched office before coming and loved what I experienced!
- Savannah O
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Was pleased with effient flow of office, felt the business end could have been better. Wasn't aware until check out of consult that we were being charged and wasn't given an amount nor statement. Some of that area staff were standoffish and short with answers to my questions. Limited by insurance for services in this area.
- Shirley M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Did great. And oh my goodness funny from anaesthesia!
- Zachary S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very pleased with the care we have received.
- Chandler E
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Good staff
- Dexter C
