Wisdom Tooth Extraction

A woman touches her face with her hand, looking concerned in a bright room.
A dentist shows a dental model to a patient, explaining the teeth structure.

Types of Wisdom Tooth Impactions

Erupted

This simply means the tooth moved through the surface of the gums just like your other teeth. Eruption generally doesn’t occur before age 16, but can happen at nearly any age after that. It may have adequate space for its position.

Soft Tissue Impaction/Partially Erupted

The top of the tooth has emerged from the bone although excessive gum tissue usually covers it. Food trapped in the gum flap can lead to decay and infection.

Partial Bony Impaction

The majority of the tooth sits below the jawbone level, although it’s beginning to emerge. A large flap of gum lies over this tooth and leaves it prone to infection and decay as mouth bacteria slip into the area.

Complete Bony Impaction

In this case, the tooth has not broken the surface and remains entirely encased in the bone. While the risk of infection is low, a small percentage of these will form a cyst in the jaw. This hollow space can expand and result in fracture of the jaw.

Request an Appointment

A woman sits at her desk, smiling while talking on a phone.
A building wall painted with large colorful cactus flowers and desert plants under a blue sky.Office space with several desks, computers, and chairs arranged around a counter in a corner room.
A smiling person holds a small blue object in a brightly lit room.
Four women in black scrubs smile behind a reception desk in a medical office.A barber chair with a plastic cover is in a small room with a window.
Dental business cards are displayed on a wooden holder next to a green candle.Dental office hallway with a large mirror on the wall and dental equipment in the background.
Reception area with a computer, green chairs, and office supplies on a wooden counter.
A woman in scrubs is putting on a blue glove in a medical setting.Nine smiling people stand in a line outdoors, some making peace signs with their hands.