Wisdom teeth, third molars, are often extracted due to the many adverse effects they can have on a patient’s overall oral health. Impaction is one of the most common reasons patients need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. A tooth is said to be impacted if it is unable to fully erupt from the smile, it partially erupts at the wrong angle, or it partially erupts and is recovered by soft tissue one or more times. When wisdom tooth impaction occurs, there are numerous adverse effects it can have on your oral and overall health. Your surrounding teeth may be shifted out of alignment, you may be at greater risk for decay in these impacted teeth, and your entire bite may no longer work properly, leading to strained TMJ and other concerns. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, an oral surgeon may recommend extraction to ensure you maintain a healthy, properly functioning smile.
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