Impacted teeth: third molars — classification, surgical removal
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery · Dental (BDS)
Tooth explorer
Interactive 3DPeel through enamel, dentin and pulp — then switch to implants, braces or dentures.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
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Study notes
A lower wisdom tooth is horizontal, pressing against the second molar. Why section it instead of pulling whole? A horizontal impaction is locked under bone against the neighbour - whole removal would need massive bone removal and risks the molar and nerve. Sectioning (cutting the tooth into pieces) lets each piece out through a small opening. Students learn impaction surgery as minimal-access engineering: remove the least bone, section the most tooth.
Related topics
- Exodontia: indications, techniques, forceps and elevators
- Exodontia complications: dry socket, fracture, displacement
- Local anesthesia: techniques, nerve blocks — IAN, PSA, infraorbital
- Local anesthesia complications and management
- Impacted canines and supernumerary teeth management
- Maxillofacial trauma: soft tissue injuries, dentoalveolar fractures