What are the types of impacted wisdom tooth?
Based on the manner in which the wisdom tooth grows through, the types of impacted teeth are as follows: • Mesial impaction – the most common type seen, whereby the teeth grow at an angle facing towards the front of the mouth. • Vertical impaction – teeth grow straight down but get stuck against the neighboring teeth. • Horizontal impaction – the teeth grow horizontally and push against the neighboring teeth. • Distal impaction – the wisdom tooth turns away from the tooth next to it and becomes lodged in that position. Do all impacted wisdom tooth cause problems and require treatment? No, in most cases, impacted wisdom teeth are harmless and do not require treatment. When does an impacted wisdom tooth require treatment? Since impacted wisdom teeth as well as wisdom teeth that have emerged only partially through the gum are difficult to clean, they are highly susceptible to dental problems such as: • Pericoronitis – the infection of the soft tissue surrounding the tooth occurring when p
