Impacted Teeth

Precise surgical care to relieve discomfort and protect your long-term oral health.

When Teeth Cannot Erupt Normally Into the Mouth

Impacted teeth occur when a tooth is blocked from erupting into its proper position within the dental arch. This most commonly affects wisdom teeth and upper canine teeth, but can involve other teeth as well. When a tooth remains trapped in bone or gum tissue, it can lead to crowding, infection, cyst formation, or damage to neighboring teeth, often requiring surgical management.

A female doctor showing a dental X-ray to a male patient.

Types of Impacted Teeth

Illustration of an impacted canine tooth lodged under the gum and other teeth.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the most frequently impacted teeth because they develop last and often lack space to erupt. They may remain trapped in bone, grow at an angle, or partially erupt through the gum.

Diagram showing an impacted canine tooth causing pain and inflammation.

Impacted Canine Teeth

Upper canine teeth sometimes remain positioned high within the jaw and fail to emerge into the arch. Because canines guide bite alignment and smile aesthetics, preserving and guiding their eruption is often preferred when possible.

Illustration of a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth beneath the gum and adjacent molar.

Horizontal Impaction

Some impacted teeth develop sideways within the jawbone, preventing eruption and potentially pressing against neighboring teeth. This orientation often requires surgical removal.

Illustration of a partially impacted wisdom tooth causing dental issues.

Partial Eruption Impaction

In some cases, a tooth partially emerges but remains trapped beneath gum tissue. This can create areas where bacteria accumulate, increasing the risk of infection and inflammation.

Why Impacted Teeth Can Be a Problem

Impacted teeth may cause:

  • Crowding or shifting of teeth
  • Infection around the tooth
  • Gum inflammation
  • Cyst formation
  • Damage to adjacent teeth
  • Orthodontic complications
  • Jaw discomfort

Even without symptoms, underlying damage may develop over time.

When Impacted Teeth Require Treatment

Treatment may be recommended when:

  • Eruption is blocked
  • Infection risk is present
  • Adjacent teeth are threatened
  • Orthodontic alignment is affected
  • A cyst or pathology is suspected
  • Symptoms occur

The approach depends on tooth type and position.

Treatment Options for Impacted Teeth

Management may include:

Monitoring

If the tooth is stable and asymptomatic.

Surgical Removal

Most common for impacted wisdom teeth.

Surgical Exposure & Orthodontic Guidance

Often used to guide the eruption of impacted canines.

Orthodontic Coordination

To create space and properly align teeth.

Impacted Canines vs Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are typically removed because they do not play a critical functional role.

Canine teeth are essential for:

  • Bite guidance
  • Arch stability
  • Smile support

For this reason, impacted canines are often preserved and guided into position when feasible.

Hands in blue gloves pointing at a dental X-ray image.
A person points at a dental X-ray with a pen.

Evaluation of Impacted Teeth

Assessment may include:

  • Clinical examination
  • Eruption pattern analysis
  • Jaw imaging
  • Tooth position mapping
  • Orthodontic coordination

This determines whether preservation or removal is best.

Why Choose an Oral Surgeon

Impacted teeth often involve bone and adjacent tooth structures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide:

  • Surgical eruption expertise
  • Safe removal techniques
  • Orthodontic exposure procedures
  • Nerve and root protection
  • Comprehensive impaction management

This determines whether preservation or removal is best.

Dentist treating a young patient with dental equipment in a clinic.
A young man holding his cheek in pain, possibly a toothache.

When to Seek Evaluation

You may benefit from an assessment if you notice:

  • Delayed tooth eruption
  • Missing canine tooth
  • Crowding in the upper front teeth
  • Wisdom tooth discomfort
  • Swelling behind molars
  • Orthodontic concerns
  • Abnormal eruption pattern

Early evaluation improves options.

Address Impacted Teeth Before They Cause Problems

Impacted teeth are common and highly treatable. Early evaluation helps prevent complications and supports proper alignment.

Schedule your impacted tooth evaluation today.