Impacted Wisdom Teeth

What Is An Impacted Tooth?

Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, many times their jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting they are called impacted. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.

For more information about Impacted Wisdom Teeth or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shimane, call our office in Castro Valley, CA at Shimane Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Phone Number 510-885-8720.

Side-by-side images of a mouth X-ray showing impacted teeth and a digital graphic highlighting impacted teeth

Types Of Impactions

We will need to see you for a consultation to determine if you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. A special x-ray of your mouth and jaws (panorex) will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is room for them to erupt, and how difficult it will be to have them removed.

  • Soft Tissue Impaction: There is not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
  • Partial Bony Impaction: There is enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially erupt. However, the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process, and creates cleaning problems, among others.
  • Complete Bony Impaction: There is NO space for the tooth to erupt. It remains embedded in the jaw bone or if even partially visible requires complex surgical techniques for removal.The impacted wisdom tooth may also be in an unusual position and difficult to remove. This situation can also arise when the shape or size of the jaw bone and other facial structures make removal of this tooth significantly more complex.

For more information about Impacted Wisdom Teeth or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shimane, call our office in Castro Valley, CA at Shimane Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Phone Number 510-885-8720.

A representation of a wisdom tooth impacted by soft tissueSoft Tissue
An example of a wisdom tooth with a partial bony impactionPartial Bony
An illustration of a wisdom tooth completely impacted by boneComplete Bony

Shimane Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

5 out of 5 stars based on 137 Wisdom Teeth Removal reviews.

Patient Testimonial

I was so scared but it's something I would do again with their services provided, felt comfortable and taken care of.

- Adriana M

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Thankful for great care!

- Anonymous

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Really great experience overall!!

- Katie L

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

You all were amazing! Thank you!

- Anonymous

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Better service than I expected!

- Eliza H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

This place is much better than my other dentist place when I got my bottom wisdom teeth removed. Thank you! Very clean facilities too!

- Vivian L

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Everything went smoothly. Thank you.

- Nima A

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Thanks! Glad to be able to eat again!

- Chelsea

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

Was scared but everyone treated me with care and it all went smoothly

- Glora F

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Testimonial

I felt like I was at home with the staff

- Tania R

5 out of 5 stars on