Wisdom teeth get their name because they usually appear around age 18. They can erupt straight, crooked or not at all. Even if they come in straight, wisdom teeth might need to be extracted due to a lack of space and the ability to be cleaned and maintained. Please read below for the various types of erupting patterns and impactions.

Vertical Impactions

If a tooth is partially vertically impacted, part of the tooth is above the bone and visible in the mouth, and part of it is submerged in the bone. This tooth could still erupt properly as the tooth next to it is not in its way.The upper tooth is fully vertically impacted. This means that the entire tooth is submerged in the bone.

If no tooth movement is shown after a few years, then we know that the teeth are impacted and should be considered for removal. This tooth could still erupt properly as the tooth next to it is not in its way.

Mesial Impactions

If a tooth is partially mesially erupted,  part of the tooth is above the bone and visible in the mouth and part of it is submerged in the bone and that is it tilted mesially, which means it is tipped toward the front of the mouth. This tooth will not likely erupt properly as the tooth next to it is in its way. These teeth typically need to be extracted because the bacteria that get under the gum tissue are almost impossible to clean, which causes an infection. The tooth next to the wisdom tooth can also decay due to the wisdom tooth.

If a tooth is fully mesially impacted, the entire tooth is submerged in the bone and is tipped toward the front of the mouth. These teeth can be observed for a few years but it is best if they get removed especially if other teeth need to be removed.

Distal Impactions

If a tooth is partially distally erupted, part of the tooth is above the bone and visible in the mouth, and part of it is submerged in the bone and that is it tilted distally, which means it is tipped toward the back of the mouth. This tooth will not likely erupt properly due to a lack of space toward the back of the jaw. These teeth typically need to be removed because the bacteria that gets under the gum tissue is almost impossible to clean, which then causes an infection.

If a tooth is fully distally impacted, the entire tooth is submerged in bone and is tipped toward the back of the mouth. These teeth can be observed for a few years but it is best if they get removed especially if other teeth need to be removed.

Horizontal Impactions

If a tooth is horizontally impacted, the tooth is perpendicular to where they should be. This tooth will not erupt properly since there is no place for them to go and there is almost no chance that they will be guided into proper position in the mouth.

These teeth typically need to be extracted but they can be observed for a few years but it is best if they get removed especially if other teeth need to be removed.