A wisdom tooth (third molar) is a permanent tooth that fails to erupt normally into the mouth. It may partially emerge, grow at an abnormal angle, or remain completely trapped beneath the gums and jawbone, as it is the last tooth to develop.

Wisdom teeth impactions are generally classified into 3 types based on their growth orientation:

• Vertical Impaction: The tooth is correctly oriented straight up but remains partially or fully covered by gum tissue.
• Horizontal Impaction: The tooth grows completely sideways parallel to the jawbone, directly pushing against the roots of adjacent teeth.
• Angular Impaction: The tooth grows at an angle, causing localized pressure and crowding.

Leaving an impacted wisdom tooth untreated often compromises your overall oral health. Because these areas are incredibly hard to reach and clean properly, they frequently cause tooth decay—not only to the wisdom tooth itself but also to the neighboring molars. This localized pressure often leads to severe pain and swollen, infected gums.

Long-term Risks: If left unaddressed over time, the tissue surrounding the impacted tooth can develop into a cyst. This cyst can expand, causing damage to the jawbone and nerve paths. Therefore, removing a wisdom tooth at a younger age is highly recommended. The surrounding bone is less dense, which generally makes the extraction and recovery easier and reduces the risk of post-operative complications.

An impacted tooth refers to any tooth that cannot naturally erupt and break through the gum line, remaining completely embedded within the jawbone. While wisdom teeth are the most common type of impaction, an impacted tooth can actually occur anywhere in the mouth, frequently affecting canine teeth or front incisors.

If ignored, an impacted tooth can lead to root resorption, gradually destroying the roots of healthy adjacent teeth. These conditions are diagnosed through digital dental X-rays. Based on the findings, our dentist will determine whether the tooth should be surgically extracted or guided into its proper position through orthodontic treatment (braces).

Impacted tooth surgery is a specialized procedure performed by an experienced Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. During the treatment planning phase, an advanced 3D Dental X-Ray (CT Scan) is often required for specific cases. This advanced imagery precisely maps out the exact position, depth, and proximity of the tooth to crucial nerves or neighboring roots.

Surgical Procedure: The treatment is performed under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. The oral surgeon will gently open the gum tissue, perform precise bone removal or tooth sectioning if necessary, and then thoroughly cleanse and suture the area. Patients will be scheduled for a follow-up visit to remove the stitches within 7 days.