What Are the Different Types of Wisdom Teeth Impaction
You go to your South Perth Dentist to have your wisdom teeth checked, and you’re told your wisdom tooth is “impacted”! You’ve probably wondered what that really means. Maybe your dentist pointed to an X-ray, traced a shape, and said something about the tooth being “on an angle.” Let us put it simply for you: when your wisdom tooth can’t come through properly, we call it “impacted.” But not all impactions are the same. The way your wisdom tooth sits—its angle, depth, and how close it is to nerves or sinuses, can change everything about how we remove it and how your mouth feels afterwards. In this article, we’ll look at the different types of wisdom teeth impaction and why understanding your own type helps you know what to expect from wisdom tooth removal and recovery.
How Dentists Describe Impacted Wisdom Teeth
In our dental clinic, we typically look at a few simple details to understand how your wisdom tooth sits in your jaw. These details help us plan the safest and most comfortable way to remove your wisdom tooth, and to predict how easy, complex, or delicate the procedure may be:
See our guide on wisdom teeth removal in Perth if you’d like to know more.
The Way the Tooth Is Sitting (Angle)
Here’s an interesting fact for you: each one of your wisdom teeth may grow at its own angle. Some sit upright, some lean forward, and others lie almost sideways. You may ask: why does the direction matter?! Well, the direction matters because it affects how your dentist approaches the removal and whether your tooth may press on the one in front.
Common Tooth Angles
Upright (Vertical): the tooth stands straight but is still trapped under the gum or bone.
Tilted Forward (Mesio-angular): leans toward the next tooth — the most common pattern we usually see in lower jaws.
Lying Sideways (Horizontal): pushes directly into the neighbouring tooth and often needs to be sectioned into smaller pieces for removal.
Tilted Backward (Disto-angular): points toward the back of the jaw and can be harder to reach.
Tilted Toward the Cheek or Tongue: less common but important because it changes where the incision is made and how soft tissues are protected.
How Deep the Tooth Is
Some wisdom teeth are positioned just under the gum, while others are buried deeper in the jawbone. Please remember that the deeper your wisdom tooth is, the more planning and precision the removal needs.
Shallow: close to the surface and usually easier to remove.
Medium Depth: partly under the bone and may need a small surgical cut.
Deep: fully covered by bone, often requiring a surgical procedure and a little more recovery time.
How Much of the Tooth Is Covered
We will also look at how much of your wisdom tooth is hidden by gum or bone. The more your tooth is covered, the trickier it can be to clean around or remove safely.
Soft-tissue Impaction: covered mostly by gum; food and bacteria can easily get trapped.
Partial Bony Impaction: partly inside the bone and partly visible; may need some bone removed.
Full Bony Impaction: completely surrounded by bone and may require surgical access.
How Far Back It Is in the Jaw
The back part of the lower jaw curves upward; that area is called the ramus. When a wisdom tooth is positioned behind that curve, there’s less working space for instruments. In those cases, the procedure can take a bit more time and care.
What’s Nearby
Before taking out your wisdom tooth, we look closely at what’s around it. This helps us plan a safe and careful wisdom tooth removal.
Lower jaw: In some people, a main nerve runs just under the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. If it’s close, we may take a 3D scan (CBCT) to see exactly where it is and make sure it’s protected during the procedure.
Upper jaw: The roots of upper wisdom teeth often grow near the sinus cavity — the air space behind your cheekbones. When a wisdom tooth is close to the sinus, we take extra care during removal to keep that area protected and help you heal comfortably and without problems.
Why the Type of Impaction Changes the Treatment Plan
Once our dentists know how your wisdom tooth is positioned, the next question is how that affects your treatment. The type of impaction tells us what kind of approach will keep you safest and most comfortable — and why some extractions are quick, while others need more time and care:
Angle of the tooth: A tooth that’s mostly upright is usually simple to remove. If it’s lying sideways or pushing against the next molar, we may need to take it out in smaller sections to avoid pressure on the surrounding teeth.
Depth in the jaw: When a wisdom tooth is positioned under the gum, removal tends to be a bit simpler. But if it’s deeper in the bone, we plan the procedure more carefully and allow extra time for healing.
Gum or bone coverage: If your tooth is mostly covered, we may need to gently lift a small amount of gum or bone to access it. It’s a careful step that helps us keep things safe and comfortable.
Position in the jaw: When a tooth grows right at the back near the jaw’s curve, we have less room to work. In those cases, we take our time, adjust angles, and make sure everything stays comfortable for you.
Nearby structures: Some lower wisdom teeth grow close to the jaw nerve, while upper ones may develop near the sinus. If that’s the case, we’ll often take a 3D scan first. It helps us see exactly where everything is and plan your treatment safely.
Time and healing: Straightforward extractions can take minutes. More complex impactions may need a longer appointment and a little extra recovery time.
Dentists at Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic plan your care based on what you need — from the type of anaesthetic to how we support your recovery — not just what’s on a standard checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Not always. Some impacted wisdom teeth don’t cause any problems and can be left alone — especially if they’re fully covered, not pressing on other teeth, and not triggering pain or infection. But if they’re causing symptoms or likely to damage nearby teeth, we may recommend removing them before things get worse.
Can an impacted wisdom tooth straighten itself out?
It’s unlikely. Once a wisdom tooth is angled or stuck, it usually stays that way. Sometimes it gets worse over time, especially if it pushes against the molar in front. That’s why you need regular dental visits so that your dentists can keep an eye on them, even if they’re not bothering you right now.
What happens if I leave an impacted wisdom tooth untreated?
Some impacted teeth stay quiet for years, while others can lead to gum infections, damage to nearby teeth, or even cysts in the jawbone. That doesn’t mean every tooth needs surgery — but it’s worth checking in regularly to make sure everything’s still stable and not putting your nearby teeth at risk.
Is surgery always complicated if the tooth is impacted?
Not necessarily. Some impacted teeth are easy to remove, especially if they’re close to the surface and not near nerves or sinuses. Others need a bit more time and care.
Will I be awake during the removal?
That’s up to you and your dentist. Some people are comfortable with local anaesthetic, while others prefer Sleep Dentistry in Perth, especially for deeper impactions. There’s no one right choice — it depends on how scared or anxious you are and the complexity of the procedure.
Can I leave an impacted wisdom tooth if it’s not hurting?
Yes, you can — but it should still be checked regularly. Just because there’s no pain doesn’t mean there’s no pressure, infection, or damage happening under the surface. Your dentist may recommend keeping an eye on it with routine X-rays.
What’s the difference between partially and fully impacted wisdom teeth?
A partially impacted tooth has broken through the gum a little but hasn’t come out fully. A fully impacted tooth is still completely under the gum or bone. Partially impacted teeth are more prone to infection because bacteria can get trapped around them.
How long does it take to recover from impacted wisdom tooth removal?
It depends on how complex your removal is. A simple extraction may feel better after a few days, but most people need about 10–14 days for full recovery. The first 2–3 days are usually when swelling or tenderness is most noticeable, so rest, cold packs, and soft foods really help during that time.
Will my face swell after the removal?
Some swelling is common, especially in the first 48 hours after removing a deeply impacted tooth. It’s a normal part of healing, and we will give you tips (like using cold packs and keeping your head elevated) to manage it.
What’s a dry socket, and can it happen after impacted wisdom tooth removal?
A dry socket is when the blood clot in the tooth socket dislodges or doesn’t form properly and exposes the bone and nerves underneath. It can be painful, but it’s not dangerous, and it’s treatable.
Can I go back to work or school the next day?
For simple extractions, you may feel ready after a day or two. But if your wisdom tooth was deeply impacted or required surgical removal, it’s best to plan for around 2–3 days of rest — sometimes a little longer — before returning to work or school comfortably.
What if I’m scared of the dentist or dental surgery?
That’s okay, and we can help with that. We offer options like happy gas, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anaesthesia to help you feel relaxed, safe, and in control during your treatment. We can discuss sedation options on the day of your consultation.
Think Your Wisdom Tooth Might Be Impacted? We Can Check!
If you’ve been told something looks off on your X-ray — or you just have a feeling something’s not quite right — we’re here to take a proper look. It might be nothing urgent, or it might be something worth sorting before it causes trouble. Give us a call at (08) 9474 5083 if you’re ready to get clarity — or just want peace of mind.