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What are Impacted Wisdom teeth?

An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that doesn’t have enough room to fully emerge through the gums, often growing at an angle or staying partially or fully trapped beneath the surface. About 9 in 10 people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Treatment ranges from simple monitoring to surgical extraction, depending on the type and severity of the impaction.

Most people have four wisdom teeth, though the number can vary. Because the jaw usually doesn’t have enough space for all 32 adult teeth, wisdom teeth are the most likely to become impacted, leading to overcrowding, infection, jaw discomfort, or swelling as they try to emerge.

What is the Difference Between the Different Wisdom Teeth Categories

Wisdom teeth come in three categories: fully impacted, partially impacted, and non-impacted. Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Fully Impacted: These wisdom teeth stay completely hidden beneath the gum line, not showing up in the mouth at all.
  • Partially Impacted: These teeth peek out a bit, with some parts visible above the gum line while the rest stays underneath.
  • Non-Impacted: These are the ones fully visible in your mouth, having erupted completely. Despite being visible, it’s essential to understand that even non-impacted wisdom teeth can lead to dental issues if not properly managed.

The second is by the direction the tooth is angled, which is what most people mean when they ask about the “4 types” of impacted wisdom teeth, covered next.

What Are the Different Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

There are four main ways wisdom teeth can be impacted, depending on where they’re positioned in your mouth:

Mesial Impaction: This is the most common type, where the wisdom tooth is angled towards the front of your mouth. Mesial Impaction
Distal Impaction: This is the rarest type, occurring when the wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of your mouth. Distal Impaction
Vertical Impaction: Vertical impaction happens when the wisdom tooth is angled correctly for a normal, upright eruption but still doesn’t break through the gum line. It’s usually caused by a lack of space in the jaw rather than a problem with the tooth’s direction. Vertical Impaction
Horizontal Impaction: In this case, the wisdom tooth lies on its side beneath the gums. Horizontal impacted visdom tooth can be quite painful as it puts pressure on neighboring teeth. Horizontal Impaction

What Are The Symptoms Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth? 

Impacted wisdom teeth might not always be noticeable, but if they cause problems, you could have these signs:

  • Redness or swelling of the gums.
  • Sensitivity or bleeding of the gums.
  • Discomfort in the jaw region.
  • Swelling in the vicinity of the jaw.
  • Persistent bad breath.
  • Unpleasant taste sensations in the mouth.
  • Difficulty in fully opening the mouth.

It’s a good idea to see your dentist if you have any symptoms in the area behind your last molar that could be linked to an impacted wisdom tooth.

How Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth Treated?

If your wisdom teeth are causing issues or dental problems, your dentist might suggest having them removed.

The surgery to remove wisdom teeth is typically done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home on the same day.

This procedure, known as wisdom tooth extraction, is carried out by either a dentist or an oral surgeon.

During the procedure, your doctor may use different types of anesthesia:

  • Local anesthesia to numb your mouth
  • Sedation anesthesia to help you relax and manage pain
  • General anesthesia to put you to sleep and ensure you feel no discomfort during the procedure

The surgeon will make an incision in your gums, remove any problematic bone, and then extract the tooth. The incision is closed with stitches, and the area is packed with gauze.

The entire surgery usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

If your wisdom teeth are fully impacted and deeply embedded within your gums or jawbone, it may be more challenging for the surgeon to remove them compared to teeth that have erupted through the gum.

What are the Risks and Complications Of Surgery?

It’s normal to experience minor discomfort like swelling, bleeding, bruising, and pain following the extraction of wisdom teeth. While these are typically not severe, it’s important to be aware of potential complications, which may include the following:

  1. Dry Socket

    Sometimes, after having a wisdom tooth removed, a dry socket can develop. This happens when a blood clot doesn’t form properly in the socket or if it comes loose before the area heals. It’s quite common, occurring in up to 38% of cases.

    A dry socket can cause significant pain, typically due to factors like not following post-surgery instructions, smoking, rinsing the area too soon, or disturbing the socket with the tongue.

  2. Nerve Damage

    During the extraction procedure, nerves in the area can sustain injury. Depending on which nerve is affected, this can result in temporary numbness or even paralysis in the lip, tongue, or cheek. While often temporary, severe cases may lead to permanent damage.

  3. Adjacent Tooth Damage

    In rare cases (around 1 in 100), individuals may experience lasting damage, such as adjacent tooth damage, as a result of the surgery. The likelihood of this complication depends largely on the complexity of the procedure.

  4. Fractures

    Occasionally, removing a wisdom tooth can lead to fractures, particularly in the maxillary tuberosity (behind the upper wisdom tooth). In some cases, a fracture of the lower jaw (mandibular fracture) can occur during or shortly after the surgery, within about four weeks.

Can You Prevent Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth can’t always be prevented since their development depends on jaw size and tooth alignment, both of which are largely genetic. What you can do is catch problems early: regular dental checkups every six months, including periodic X-rays, let your dentist monitor how your wisdom teeth are developing and intervene before impaction causes pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.

Get your Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removed at Coral Dental Care in Salem, MA

Impacted wisdom teeth rarely resolve on their own, and waiting too long can turn a simple procedure into a more complicated one. If you’re dealing with pain, swelling, or discomfort behind your back molars, the safest next step is getting it looked at before it worsens.

At Coral Dental Care, a trusted dentist in Salem offering comprehensive wisdom tooth removal, Dr. Anu Isaac and our team take the time to properly diagnose your impaction type and walk you through every step of the process, so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. We combine modern techniques with a calm, patient-first approach to make wisdom tooth removal as comfortable as possible.

Woried about Wisdom Tooth Impaction?

Get Expert Care and Fast Relief at Coral Dental care in Salem, MA

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What happens if you don’t remove impacted wisdom teeth?

    If impacted wisdom teeth are not removed, they can lead to chronic pain, infections, gum disease, and tooth crowding, which may damage nearby teeth and undo orthodontic work. Additionally, untreated impacted wisdom teeth can cause cyst formation, jawbone damage, and increase the risk of decay and persistent bad breath.

  2. Can impacted wisdom teeth damage other teeth?

    Yes, they can push against neighboring molars, risking damage and shifting.

  3. Can all four wisdom teeth be impacted?

    Yes, it’s possible for any or all wisdom teeth to become impacted, depending on your jaw structure.

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