Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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 BonyCortland Oral Surgery
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Upon call to have a tooth extracted I received a appointment that week and a time that worked for me. I used the on line site to fill out the paper work so to speed up everything upon my arrival. The dr. and his assistant made me feel comfortable answered all my question and kept informed all through the procedure. After the procedure the assistant went over what I should expected and do now that the tooth was removed. I also received a hand out what she had gone over and said if I had any questions to call. The over all experience went smooth and the Dr. and staff were great.
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It was recommended by my dentist to have one of my wisdom teeth removed to avoid complications in the future. They recommended Dr. SanGiacomo. After examination of my teeth, he carefully explained why there was no reason to remove two perfectly fine wisdom teeth at this time. I was very impressed by his professionalism and integrity (and at the same time very relieved).
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Not sure if my previous review was received so have done a second one. Walked in after being referred by my dentist to get information on tooth extraction. Worked out that they could take me in that afternoon. With less time to worry, all the staff were professional, courteous and very calming. The doctor walked me through the procedure to extract a tooth and put my nerves at ease. Would recommend them to anyone, very pleased. Thank you to all.
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