Commonly Impacted Teeth

• Wisdom teeth (third molars): Most commonly impacted — often removed to prevent problems
• Upper canines (cuspids): Second most commonly impacted — may be exposed and guided into position with orthodontics rather than removed
• Lower premolars: Can become impacted in patients with crowded arches
• Supernumerary teeth: Extra teeth that can block normal eruption

Problems Caused by Impacted Teeth

Pain and pressure in the jaw, infection of the gum tissue around the impacted tooth (pericoronitis), damage to adjacent teeth and their roots, cyst formation around the impacted tooth, crowding of other teeth, and difficulty cleaning leading to decay.

Treatment Options

Surgical removal: The most common treatment for impacted wisdom teeth and other impacted teeth that cannot be brought into proper position. Orthodontic exposure and eruption: For impacted canines, we may surgically expose the tooth and attach a bracket and chain to guide it into position with braces. Monitoring: Asymptomatic impacted teeth in older patients may be monitored rather than removed.

Diagnosis with 3D Imaging

We use digital X-rays and panoramic imaging to evaluate impacted teeth. For complex cases, cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging provides a three-dimensional view of the tooth's position relative to nerves, sinuses, and adjacent teeth — allowing for precise surgical planning.