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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Smooth appointment, great service . Procedure was done well.
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Although my original hesitancy for this dental procedure was due to my initial concern of never having extractions in my life of 87 years ! However, my fears were unfounded! Dr.Sangicamo was very skilled and with great support from his assistant ,was a very tolerant procedure and my recovery is going well.
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This was my 2nd tooth extraction (last one about 10 yrs. ago). I thought that the positive experience then was a fluke, but it wasn't. Believe me, I dread going to the dentist, but he makes the whole experience relatively painless. The worst part is usually the Novocain, but even that wasn't too bad & he removed the remaining pieces of my broken tooth quickly & without pain. Highly recommend!!! (And I wasn't paid to say any of this)
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Excellent experience, staff were all friendly and kind, doctor was efficient but very nice. Minimal discomfort when being blocked and the block worked very well 🙂
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Everything was great- front staff so friendly and helpful- dentist great! Highly recommend
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In what seems like a world of poor dentists, Dr Sangiacomo is a blessing. He is highly competent. Both my mother and I go to him. We have extremely long tooth roots and my mother has had traumatic experiences at two other offices. I'm very grateful to have found Dr. Sangiacomo.
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I have PTSD with severe anxiety. I also suffer from depression and am on a fair amount of medications. I was in severe pain from an absessed tooth and the infection was spreading like wildfire. Someone cancelled their appointment and the staff called me right away. They got me through the procedure while helping me to stay as calm as possible. I was a shaking mess. My tremors were uncontrollable at that point, but the nurses worked very hard to help me try to calm down. Then, Dr. Sangiacomo began telling jokes and express his wonderful sense of humor. That REALLY helped to put me at ease. The entire staff understood my situation and helped me through my anxiety attack as well. I would never dream of going anywhere else. Thank you for your support and unmatched level of care. Not sure I would have made it through this with all their help and kindness.
- Lloyd S
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OUTSTANDING!
- samuel f
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Everyone was kind and caring, efficient and professional. They all tried to set me at ease and answered all my questions thoroughly. The booklet on information was well done and helpful to take with me following the procedure.
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Procedure was ray & well done!
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Staff is friendly and attentive (and humorous). Am pleased to have been introduced to this office.
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doctor is obviously very experienced and very nice minimal discomfort postop, at least so far friendly doctor and staff
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Maya said staff was funny and helped her stay calm.
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I was really nervous and they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.
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I am so glad I found Dr. SanGiacomo's practice. The staff is amazingly comforting and helpful and I couldn't be happier with my surgery and overall experience. I will tell anyone I know if need of oral surgery that you're the first practice they should consider. Thanks for your hard work!
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A very wonderful place!
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