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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I couldn't have been more pleased with the my visit and the procedure done. The staff and doctor helped me to feel at ease during a possibly stressful procedure
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I was so nervous but everybody made me feel at ease. The procedure was no problem and I have not had any pain and not needEd any meds. Thank you.
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Doctor SanGiacomo (spelling?) is the best dentist/oral surgeon when comes to extractions. He has a gentle touch and when he administers the pain shot he does so carefully. Every other Dentist I've gone to had been more of stabber.
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Both of my children have had their wisdom teeth out and everyone was very helpful and kind.
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Thank you so much. Was a pleasure doing business with you.
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Entire office staff were wonderful once again. Both of my daughters have had wisdom teeth removal. The doctor, nurses and front office staff are very kind, caring and amazing!
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I highly recommend Cortland Oral Surgery Center and Dr. SanGiacomo. He made a stressful situation comfortable by his manner and the only pain I felt was the Novocain needle.
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Appointment time 3:30, done and gone by 4:05. This is pretty great too because of the condition my tooth was in. Doc did awesome, staff was friendly.
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The extraction site is healing nicely after 24 hours, with little swelling or pain. Thank you.
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Very pleasant office staff and the Dr. Was very easy to talk with and my pain was minimal.
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Fast and friendly service all around
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The staff scheduling my appointment worked to accommodate my situation. Everything was explained very well. Procedure went well with no problems. The Dr and assistant were very nice and professional.
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The IV for anesthesia was easy and painless. Every aspect of this business is top notch!
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The Doctor and staff put me at ease, even though I was not looking forward to the procedure. The Doctor gets lots of gold stars for starting my IV as painfree as possible! Amanda watched over me prior to the procedure and made me comfortable. Thanks!
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Excellence in every way. If they had a bar with complimentary drinks in the waiting room, I'd have a tooth extracted every week. Very nice and considerate staff. And Dr. SanGiacomo is just great. Friendly and informative.
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