February 18, 2025
A wisdom tooth, also known as a third molar, erupts between 17 and 25 years of age. For most people, the teeth don’t have enough space to grow out, so they become impacted. If the wisdom tooth is impacted, it causes severe pain, gum redness and inflammation, difficulty eating and chewing, and even dental infections. If left untreated, tooth impaction can cause root damage and cysts.
Let’s understand the different types of impacted wisdom teeth and their causes to avoid discomfort and oral health issues.
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth growth is categorised into various types based on positions, angle of impaction and the level of emergence. It includes:
1. Partially Emerged Wisdom Tooth (Vertical Impaction)
A wisdom tooth just partially erupting out of the gums is called a partially emerged wisdom tooth. Since it still grows vertically, it might not cause immediate discomfort. It only matters if you experience pain, eventually when it hits the jawbone or adjacent teeth.
2. Impacted Upper Wisdom Teeth (Angular Impaction – Mesial)
The most frequent impaction indicates the tooth slants forward into the second molar. Angular-impacted wisdom teeth push against the neighbouring or adjacent teeth, which may cause crowding, teeth misalignment and pain. At times, food particles may get stuck in the area, causing tooth decay and gum infections.
3. Fully Impacted Wisdom Tooth (Distal Impaction)
A distal wisdom tooth is situated more towards the back of the mouth. The angulation indicates whether it remains under the gum fully or erupts partly, which could create discomfort and complicate the cleaning process.
4. Horizontal Impacted Wisdom Tooth (Horizontal Impaction)
A horizontal impacted wisdom tooth runs into the jawbone at an angle, hitting the distal root of the second molar. The most problematic type of impaction as it will cause severe pain, adjacent tooth damage and a high risk of root exposure. Usually, it requires general dentistry checkups and demands extraction surgery.
5. Partially Impacted Wisdom Teeth (Soft Tissue Impaction)
It is an example of partially impacted wisdom teeth, where the wisdom tooth flares out of the gums, but there is soft tissue covering the crown. It results in an impacted wisdom tooth abscess, which makes the cleaning process difficult. The signs are swelling, pain and difficulty in opening the mouth.
6. Decayed Impacted Wisdom Tooth (Bony Impaction)
With a bony impaction, the complete wisdom tooth is encased within the jawbone. It can be either partially visible or completely covered. A fully impacted wisdom tooth needs to be surgically extracted, particularly if it is causing pain or damaging neighbouring teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Complications
Failing to address decayed impacted wisdom tooth can lead to several complications such as:
- Persistent Pain: Impacted upper wisdom teeth are more likely to be sore and create jaw pain and headaches over a longer period.
- Pericoronitis: Impacted teeth infection can result in periodontal disease. It is because the partially erupted wisdom tooth encourages bacteria to accumulate around it. Timely can help prevent such infections.
- Dental Decay: Food and bacteria can get trapped between the impacted teeth and develop tooth decay, and cavities.
- Cysts or masses: A fluid-filled sac (cyst) can cause further damage to your jawbone and adjacent teeth as the impacted tooth is wedged within this filling sac.
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth: The impaction lets a tooth potentially emerge at an angle in which other neighbouring teeth can be pushed or ruptured.
Summing Up!
For some, impacted wisdom tooth pain comes and goes, and for many, it can be severely painful and can cause discomfort. Hope this blog helps you identify the various types of wisdom tooth impaction to let you treat your conditions early. Dental checkups are essential to determine if wisdom teeth positions and impactions are causing oral health issues and take necessary steps if needed.
Need help? Consult our wisdom tooth extraction London clinic if you experience wisdom teeth pain.
Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan (292322)
Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.