Handling Wisdom Teeth Impactions with a Trusted Waterford Dentist

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often cause problems when they don’t have enough room to properly erupt—leading to what’s known as an impaction. At Oakland Family Dental, our skilled dentist in Waterford, MI, Dr. Amanda Sheehan provides evaluation and treatment for all types of wisdom teeth impactions to protect your oral health and comfort.

Whether you’re in Waterford, Clarkston, White Lake, or West Bloomfield, you deserve access to the best dental care available. If you’re searching for a top dentist in Waterford, contact our office today by calling (248) 674-0384. Our team is here to help you understand your options and get the treatment you need with compassion and precision.

Comfort You Can Trust at Oakland Family Dental

Many patients feel anxious when dealing with dental procedures, especially when it involves something as complex as wisdom teeth removal. Patient Alicia Y. shares her experience:

“I found Oakland Family Dental while searching for an emergency service and after my first visit I’m now a forever patient. I am a very nervous and anxious patient when it comes to dental procedures and I have never been more comfortable in an office setting as I was at Oakland Family Dental. Everyone that I experienced while working there is SO KIND, patient, friendly and extremely knowledgeable on the topic at hand, and I mean everyone. From the receptionist, the assistants, the hygienists, but especially Laura and Dr. Amanda Sheehan! I cannot recommend this office enough and I’m so grateful to have found them.”

Alicia’s story reflects what sets us apart as a best dentist near you. We prioritize not just effective treatment, but your overall comfort and trust. Whether you’re dealing with dental pain, impacted wisdom teeth, or just need a consultation, contact Dr. Sheehan by calling (248) 674-0384.

What Is a Wisdom Tooth Impaction?

A wisdom tooth impaction occurs as a result of the jaw becoming smaller over time, leaving less room for the third molars to emerge fully. This can lead to a range of oral health issues, such as cavities, gum disease, and infection in the gum tissue. In many cases, the best course of action to deal with an impacted wisdom tooth is a surgical tooth extraction.

Four Main Types of Wisdom Teeth Impactions

There are four main types of wisdom teeth impactions:

Mesial (angular) impaction
Vertical impaction
Horizontal impaction
Distal impaction

Mesial (Angular) Impactions

Mesial impactions are the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction. In this case, the tooth is partially erupted and angled forward, towards the front of the oral cavity, rather than towards the back. This positioning can cause issues with adjacent teeth, as the impacted tooth may press against them and damage them.

The decision to extract a mesial impacted tooth depends on several factors, such as the angle of the tooth and the extent to which it’s impacted. Dentists usually prefer to carefully observe mesial impactions before determining whether extraction is necessary. This allows them to monitor any changes in the tooth’s position and assess the potential risk to surrounding teeth before taking action.

Vertical Impactions

Vertical impactions occur when the wisdom tooth is in the correct position but remains below the gums. In many cases, these impactions don’t require extraction, as they may not cause significant issues. However, there are instances where a vertically impacted wisdom tooth can exert pressure against the bone or displace a neighboring molar, leading to oral health complications.

In these cases, our dentist may suggest surgical removal of the vertically impacted tooth to prevent further damage and alleviate any discomfort.

Horizontal Impactions

Horizontal impactions, whether partially or fully impacted, happen when the tooth lies entirely sideways beneath the gums, pressing against neighboring teeth. This can result in significant pain and damage to the adjacent teeth, making it essential to address horizontal impactions promptly.

Surgical extraction is the recommended course of action for horizontally impacted wisdom teeth. In some cases, it may also be necessary to remove some of the jawbone to extract the impacted tooth successfully. By removing the horizontally impacted tooth, you can prevent further damage to surrounding teeth and alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with the impaction.

Distal Impactions

Distal impactions are relatively rare and occur when the wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth. The decision to extract a distal impacted tooth depends on the angle of the tooth and the extent of impaction. In some cases, distal impactions may not require extraction, while in others, the tooth’s position could pose a risk to oral health and require removal.

woman looking at her teeth in pain in the mirror

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The most common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:

Pain
Swelling
Changes in bite
Difficulty chewing
A foul taste in the mouth
Bleeding

In some cases, the pain can range from mild to severe and may be partially or fully localized to the area of the impacted tooth. However, symptoms may not always accompany impacted wisdom teeth. There might be instances where you have an impacted tooth without any discernible signs. This is why regular dental check-ups are crucial.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, contact our board-certified Waterford dentist today by calling (248) 674-0384 to schedule an appointment.

How Dentists Determine the Type of Tooth Impaction

When you visit our dentist in Waterford with concerns about a potentially impacted wisdom tooth, they’ll conduct a dental examination and take X-rays to evaluate the tooth’s position and inclination. This information, combined with your reported symptoms, infections, pain, and any damage to surrounding teeth, will help our dentist determine the type of impaction and the most appropriate treatment plan.

By addressing impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible, you can maintain your oral health and prevent potential issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to surrounding teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction?

What are the different types of impaction?

What is the most difficult wisdom tooth impaction?

What is the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction?

Mesial impactions are the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction, often referred to as “angular impactions” due to the teeth being partially erupted and angled towards the front of the mouth.

What are the different types of impaction?

There are three types of impaction: soft tissue, partial bony, and complete bony. Soft tissue impaction occurs when there’s not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract, whereas partial bony impaction is when there’s enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially erupt, and complete bony impaction occurs when there’s no space for the tooth to erupt.

What is the most difficult wisdom tooth impaction?

Horizontal impactions are considered to be the most painful type of wisdom tooth impaction, while full-bony impacted teeth present the greatest challenge to extract due to being completely stuck in the jaw.

Relieve Discomfort with Wisdom Teeth Care from the Best Dentist in Waterford

Wisdom teeth impactions can lead to pain, swelling, infection, and damage to nearby teeth if left untreated. At Oakland Family Dental, Dr. Amanda Sheehan offers personalized care tailored to each type of impaction—from soft tissue to complete bony impactions. As a Waterford dentist with a strong reputation for clinical excellence and patient comfort, Dr. Sheehan proudly serves the communities of Waterford, Highland, Keego Harbor, and beyond.

Schedule a consultation with one of the top dentists in Waterford today by calling (248) 674-0384 to let our caring team guide you through your options for safe, effective wisdom teeth removal.

Types of Wisdom Teeth Impactions