Impacted wisdom teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars prevented from erupting normally by gum tissue, jawbone, or neighboring teeth. They may remain partly erupted or fully enclosed in the jaw.

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Tooth eruption: Tooth eruption is the movement of a developing tooth through the jaw and gum into the mouth. Wisdom teeth become impacted when this movement is obstructed or fails to reach a functional position.
Panoramic radiography: Panoramic radiography produces a single two-dimensional image of the teeth and jaws. It commonly reveals wisdom-tooth position and nearby anatomical structures during assessment.
Dental caries: Dental caries is the progressive loss of tooth mineral caused by acids produced by plaque bacteria. A difficult-to-clean impacted tooth can contribute to decay in itself or the adjacent second molar.
Erupted wisdom tooth: An erupted wisdom tooth is a third molar that has emerged through the gum into the mouth. Unlike an impacted tooth, it has reached the oral cavity, though it may still be difficult to clean.
Mandibular third molar: A mandibular third molar is a wisdom tooth located in the lower jaw. Its limited space and varied angulation make lower wisdom teeth common sites of impaction.
Cone-beam computed tomography: Cone-beam computed tomography creates three-dimensional images of teeth and facial bones using a cone-shaped X-ray beam. It can clarify a wisdom tooth’s relationship to the mandibular canal when ordinary imaging is insufficient.
Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that damages the tissues supporting the teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth can be associated with periodontal damage behind the neighboring second molar.
Partially erupted tooth: A partially erupted tooth has emerged through the gum but remains partly covered by tissue or bone. This describes one common visible form of wisdom-tooth impaction and its associated gum-flap problems.
Mesioangular impaction: Mesioangular impaction is a tooth position in which a tooth tilts toward the front of the mouth. This is a frequent wisdom-tooth orientation, often with the crown angled toward the second molar.
Wisdom tooth extraction: Wisdom tooth extraction is the surgical or nonsurgical removal of a third molar. Removal may be recommended for disease, symptoms, or selected risks associated with an impacted tooth.