Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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 wisdom teeth. 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) is 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.
Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
Legacy Oral and Facial Surgery Center Office Phone Number (734) 210-0677 Book Online
Legacy Oral and Facial Surgery Center
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great Job!
- Praskovya N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Got me in as soon as I called, severe pain, bad wisdom tooth, complications "Can you be here in 45 minutes? Absolutely. Couldn't be any smoother or professional from the start. Top level facility and service. This Doc., Doctor Dalbert Fear is the most compassionate Doctor I have encountered in my 63 year lifetime. I had an impacted 3rd molar that was infected trying to grow a wrong direction in my jawbone that was a very tough surgery. Consequently the lingual nerve that affects the tongue was disturbed in the process and caused excruciating pain and numbness after the 1st surgery. The 2nd molar also had to be extracted because of this. Doctor Fear took an immidiate interest in solving this issue in any way possible, after 2 more encounters into general anesthesia the reason for the excruciating pain, inability to swallow or talk was discovered and Dr. Fear solved the problem of not being able to swallow, eat or talk for 3 weeks. It has been the most traumatizing medical emergency of my life and this man and his staff stuck with me every day, every minute until the pain problem was solved. The surgery that was performed was a very hard issue as the lingual nerve passes right by where the tooth had to be extracted, Trust me when I tell you, you NEVER want to experience this kind of pain. I have drilled a hole through my hand with a #8 size drill bit, had broken ribs, dislocated shoulder, broken collar bone, deviated septum surgery under local anesthesia, broken bones in my right hand, and foot, 4 root canals, 3 tooth implants. All of these events were a square dance compared to this. I NEVER thought or knew that pain like this was possible and the good Doctor and his staff kept me as comfortable and pain free as possible with any medications that were required or additional surgeries or other tasks that needed to be performed. The postoperative care that I received and continue to receive from Legacy Oral and Facial Surgery Center after this procedure is certainly nothing like I have experienced in any other medical health care facility, Emergency Room trauma center, hospital or any other doctor in my lifetime. Absolutely the best care I have ever received, and continue to receive from this facility and staff. Dr. Fear has told me personally that he is on this with us until it is completly solved. Millions of thank you's to Dr. Fear, and all the nurses, professionals and office staff that have helped me and my wife through this very trying time through the Christmas holiday season with this injury. We Thank you very sincerely, Mark & Ruby D.
- Mark D