If you live in South Surrey or White Rock and have been told your wisdom teeth are "impacted", the word can sound more alarming than it needs to. This guide explains what the term means, how to tell when a check is worthwhile, and how to think through timing, so you can walk into a consultation feeling prepared.
What "impacted" actually means
Wisdom teeth are your third molars, the last teeth to arrive, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Not everyone has all four. By the time they show up, the rest of your teeth are already in place, so there is often simply no room. A tooth that stays trapped under the gum or bone is called impacted.
Impaction is about the tooth's position, not about whether you have a problem right now. Some impacted teeth never cause trouble, while others cause plenty.
Four positions, four different concerns
The angle of the tooth shapes what your dentist watches for:
| Position | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted forward | The most common type | Can push on the tooth in front |
| Upright but trapped | Pointing the right way, stuck below gum or bone | Can stay hidden, so it is easy to miss without imaging |
| Sideways | Tipped all the way over | Leans into the tooth in front |
| Tilted back | Leaning toward the back of the jaw | Sits in a spot that is hard to reach and clean |
Signs it is time to book a check
These are the problems a stuck tooth can bring:
- Pain or swelling near the back of the jaw
- Infection in the gum around the tooth
- Decay in the neighbouring tooth
- Food traps that are hard to clean
The reverse is also true: no symptoms does not automatically mean no issue. Because some stuck teeth are quiet, a routine exam with imaging is the dependable way to know where you stand.
Do they all have to come out?
No. The decision depends on how the teeth are growing and how they affect your other teeth. Low-dose digital X-rays show the angle and the roots, and Cone Beam 3D imaging shows nearby nerves. Together they give you a clear recommendation rather than a guess. If you are curious about the broader range of care available, our dental treatments overview is a helpful place to browse.
Thinking about timing
Age changes the conversation:
- Before 17: the teeth are still developing, so the usual approach is to watch them on X-rays.
- 17 to 20: often an ideal window if removal is recommended, because the roots are not yet fully formed.
- After 20: removal is still possible, though fully formed roots can mean a little more recovery time.
If you are past that window, you have not missed your chance. It simply means planning with the roots in mind.
If the thought of extraction makes you nervous
Many people feel uneasy about having a tooth removed, and that is completely understandable. Sedation, including IV, is available for anxious patients, and a sedation dentistry guide walks through how those options work. Planning with 3D imaging first, and having costs and insurance coverage explained before treatment, also takes much of the uncertainty out of the day.
Questions to bring to your appointment
- Which position is my tooth in, and is it likely to change?
- Is it close to a nerve, based on the 3D imaging?
- Should we watch it or remove it, and why?
- What would recovery look like at my age?
- What will it cost, and what will insurance cover?
For a deeper look at the four impaction types, you can read the original wisdom teeth post. And if your wisdom teeth are bothering you, the main website has details on booking a visit so a dentist can take a look.