Impacted Wisdom Teeth

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Third molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. They are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth, behind your second molars. Their development is usually completed between the middle teenage years and early twenties, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

Do You Need Relief from Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Don’t suffer any longer! Dr. Bonacci can gently extract wisdom teeth to prevent future complications.

Call us: 703-255-9400

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.

A diagram half mouth X-ray with teeth impaction and half 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.
An representation of a tooth impacted by soft tissueSoft Tissue
An example of a tooth with a partial bony impactionPartial Bony
An illustration of a tooth completely impacted by boneComplete Bony

Don’t hesitate to call us with any questions: Christopher E. Bonacci, DDS, MD, PC Office Phone Number 703-255-9400

Christopher E. Bonacci, DDS, MD, PC

5 out of 5 stars based on 123 Wisdom Teeth reviews.

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Great

- McKenzie T

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Everyone is incredibly friendly, explained things thoroughly, put me down easy, no issues with the procedure itself, minimal swelling (best part), and manageable pain with meds. Happy to have this out of the way and beyond satisfied that it was done by Dr. Bonacci and his crew. Thanks!

- Teddy G

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Will never go anywhere else. Excellent care, service and professionalism.

- megan r

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

everything went very smoothly

- Abigail M

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I did not have any bad pain or swelling

- Virginia M

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Great! Quick recovery! Checked in after surgery

- Laura C

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I needed to have my wisdom teeth out with a short turn around time and was very nervous to get the procedure done. Dr. Bonacci and his team were incredibly accommodating, friendly, and made the procedure as stress free as possible. The instructions given before and after getting your teeth removed are clear and easy to follow. I will definitely use Dr. Bonacci if additional care is needed and would recommend him to anyone who needs to get their wisdom teeth removed.

- Jessica H

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Professional and expert in every way, caring, answers questions and great with follow-up. Office is well organized and everyone is friendly and knows what they're doing. Highly recommended.

- Steve C

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Everything went well, no complaints!

- Sophia D

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Bonacci is such an amazingly skilled oral surgeon. I had a very severe impacted tooth sitting deep inside my gum. It was very close to my facial sensory nerves. I was worried that sensory nerves might be damaged during the surgery. In fact, Dr. Bonacci warned me that it was going to be a difficult surgery. But he did such a wonderful job. He extracted my impacted tooth without any damage to my sensory nerves. And the surgery went very smoothly. My recovery was rapid and without much pain. I highly recommend any one who needs an oral surgery go to see Dr. Bonacci. Thank you so much, Dr. Bonacci.

- Sherry L

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

The staff and doctor were nice and the procedure went smoothly.

- Stephanie M

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

My experience with my wisdom teeth removal was excellent. I apparently had "dinosaur teeth" so the incisions had to be larger than normal, but Dr. Bonacci didn't run into any problems and made a clean job of it. The recovery has been exactly as they told me it was going to be, three days of increasing swelling with a turning point on the fourth day. The staff were all very nice and explained everything about the surgery and recovery clearly and succinctly. Thank you!

- Monique C

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Thank you to Dr. Bonacci and the Staff at Dr. Bonacci's office for helping us through this process. It was so easy! Everyone was professional, courteous, friendly and scheduling was easy. All of our questions were answered, even outside of office hours on a holiday weekend! We definitely recommend Dr. Bonacci for wisdom teeth removal and we will return with our daughter when the time comes.

- Gabrielle and Samuel S

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Procedure and experience were flawless. No other issues after the procedure and my wisdom teeth were taken out with no complications. I highly recommend this office and Dr. Bonacci to anyone seeking dental and facial treatment.

- Benjamin C

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Scheduled the appointment very quickly. Surgery was quick and the post op was clear and easy.

- Jake L

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Fast procedure, very clear instructions for aftercare. Very nice staff.

- Sabrina S

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

gave good and easy to follow instructions for after procedure

- Abigail G

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I was extremely nervous about my procedure - but everyone in Dr. Bonacci's office helped put me at ease from the very beginning. I highly recommend their services and will definitely come back (though hopefully not anytime soon!) I am very impressed and appreciative of the quality of service and communication from everyone there.

- Erika Y

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Having your wisdom tooth pulled out is never a good experience but I think this went decently well.

- Milan M

4 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Excellent experience from start to finish. Both kids had wisdom teeth procedures on same day and it was expertly handled. Good recovery afterwards and detailed instructions helped.

- Corina C

5 out of 5 stars on