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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Great experience....much better than expected as I was dreading this extraction
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Very friendly frontline staff. Dr. S. was great and available for follow up questions after the procedure. Great experience! He has a good sense of humor and was able to calm my daughter’s fears before the surgery.
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Thank you for a no pain experience
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I just want to say that I could not be happier with the treatment I received. Since I had a tooth extracted, that is saying something. Everyone was most understanding and kind and the Dr. was professional. They are a great team. Thank you.
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As much as I wasn’t looking forward to the extraction, everything went extremely well. Aftercare instructions were clear and worked as discussed. The only thing that could be better is being able to get an appointment in less time than a month. Understand they are busy but, less of a wait would be better
- Mark M
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The best dentist I’ve ever been to highly recommend Will never hesitate to go back if needed super great dentist super great staff extremely friendly and I’m not one for needles in my mouth but he did an awesome job Barely felt the needles
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Made me feel very comfortable. Staff was very curtious and friendly. Would reccomend him.
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Good experience. Described what to expect during and after surgery. No complaints.
- Leslie W
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My wisdom teeth surgery was very scary to begin with, but the nurses and doctor eased my mind the second I stepped in the room to have my procedure done. They were all absolutely amazing with everything. I would definitely recommend them to anyone else looking to get their wisdom teeth out.
- Samantha M
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I was surprised at the lack of pain. I kept waiting for the pain to kick in but it never did. I did not take any medication for pain. Not so much as an aspirin. Excellent work and excellent staff.
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Very professional and friendly . Doctor was on time and didn't have to wait. Was in and out, less than 30 minutes. I wiould go there again , if I need futher work.
- Grraldine F
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Easy and friendly!
- Hayden W
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Great staff. Great dentist
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Having a tooth pulled is bad enough but I had just the root to be pulled.. little scary..ok alot scary but, this was the best experience ever...everyone was very nice.Thank you very much for having so much compassion.
- Carol N
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I had a wisdom tooth extracted, process was quick and easy for me. Staff was great and the process went well. Very satisfied with the care I received.
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The entire staff was amazing. They rock
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For an extraction that no one wants to go through, Dr. S was very kind and quick in getting the procedure done.
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