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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The staff was very pleasant and good at their work. The doctor was very caring and removed my tooth quickly and with very little pain. I am very happy with the outcome.
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Very easy procedure...great doctor and nurse!
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I am so satisfied with Dr. San Giacomo, that I don't believe I will ever go anywhere else for oral surgery. Thank you to all who cared for me during my surgery and after-care!
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I’ve had two procedures and would definitely come back to Cortland Oral Surgery for any other needs I had of this nature.
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Friendly and relaxing. Was very comfortable and relaxed for the procedure
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The staff and Dr. were professional and courteous. Quick in and out pain free extraction. Overall great office
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Fast procedure
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was easy
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Scheduled quickly to remove a cracked tooth. The procedure went well with a follow up visit the next week.
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Great Staff and Doctor. I had 2 teeth pulled They explained each detail before extraction and during the process. I was very impressed.
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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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I was extremely happy with my experience in your office. Dr. SanGiacomo and his staff were excellent in terms of efficiency, courtesy and kindness. The procedure was flawless and pain free. I was expecting to awake the next day in pain, yet I was surprised to wake with little to no pain and no need to take any pain medication. Thank you all. Paul
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It was a great experience! Nobody likes the dentist but this office really made it comfortable, easy, and fast! The doctor/dentist was GREAT!!
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The visit was Great! When I called the day before and made appt. It was for 3:30 the next day and after filling out information on line for my appt. The receptionist called me back and was able to get me in that next morning at 8:30 instead! I was in alot of pain and my face was swellon. I was scared and the Dr was joking around with me and it helped me loosen up! Thank you for that!!
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