Impacted wisdom tooth

An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that is partially or fully trapped in your gums or jawbone, as Cleveland Clinic describes. MouthHealthy says wisdom teeth can cause trouble when there is not enough space to surface or they come through in the wrong position.

Food and bacteria can get trapped, which can lead to decay or infection. A partly erupted tooth can allow bacteria to enter the gums, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in the jaw. An impacted tooth can also form a cyst or harm the roots of nearby teeth.

Surgical removal is often recommended for impacted wisdom teeth. Your dentist uses an X-ray to see how the tooth sits. See impacted tooth, pericoronitis, and wisdom tooth removal. The tooth extraction page describes the practice's own service.