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.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

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.

A diagram half mouth X-ray with teeth impaction and half digital graphic highlighting impacted teeth

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.
A representation of a wisdom tooth impacted by soft tissueSoft Tissue
An example of a wisdom tooth with a partial bony impactionPartial Bony
An illustration of a wisdom tooth completely impacted by boneComplete Bony

Cortland Oral Surgery

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I am an Anesthesiologist practicing in town. I have tried to have 2 back molar implants placed since my medical residency in the early 90's. I have been to multiple specialist, which all had said, because of the bone erosion there is not enough bone to place an implant. Everyone from colleagues I perform anesthesia for to Clear Choice shown on TV, none where able to even try. I did not know Thomas R. SanGiacomo, DMD, but thought I would give it one more try. To my surprise I had a 3-D CT scan in his office and he said he believed he could use a specialized implant called a Fatboy. Well, after less the a year I have 2 permanent excellent chewing surfaces. The whole experience was exceptional, he and his office staff out like a real hidden treasure here in Cortland and I have been all over the U.S. and world trying to have this performed. I can not say enough about the experience and end result. I had tried a partial before and there is no comparison between wearing a partial and having solid permanent teeth. If you or someone you know are missing teeth I highly recommend you visit this outstanding Specialist. He has clean ultra modern equipment, a wondering pleasant staff, and a tremendous skill. His prices are absolutely the best and he accepted my insurance, which was an added bonus. I highly recommend if you are reading this you take the first step and make an initial appointment.

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I was very anxious about getting these extractions. The staff were very encouraging and put me at ease. Dr SanGiacomo was very professional and has a great sense of humor,which I really appreciated!

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Everything went very smooth, the tooth extraction was actually easier than I thought

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