---
title: "What Is Impacted tooth? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not come in normally. It stays stuck under the gum or in the bone, or only partly comes through."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/impacted-tooth
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Impacted tooth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not come in normally. It stays stuck under the gum or in the bone, or only partly comes through.

If a tooth does not come in, or emerges only partially, it is considered to be impacted. An impacted tooth remains stuck in the gum tissue or bone. It most commonly affects [wisdom teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/wisdom-teeth-third-molars).

Impacted teeth do not always cause symptoms. Whether one is a concern depends on a few factors, such as its position. When it does cause trouble, signs can include pain, swelling, bad taste or gum infection around it, called [pericoronitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pericoronitis).

A dentist finds an impacted tooth with an exam and x-rays. Some are watched over time. Others are removed. Our office describes removals on its [tooth extraction page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction). See also [impacted wisdom teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/impacted-wisdom-tooth).

[Town Center Dental can helpTooth Extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction)

## Related terms

-   [Wisdom teeth (third molars)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/wisdom-teeth-third-molars)
-   [Pericoronitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pericoronitis)
-   [Impacted wisdom tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/impacted-wisdom-tooth)
-   [Tooth extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-extraction)
-   [Tooth eruption](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-eruption)

## Sources

1.  [MedlinePlus: Impacted tooth](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001057.htm)
2.  [Cleveland Clinic: Impacted Tooth: Types, Symptoms & Treatment](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/impacted-tooth)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)