Impacted Tooth
A tooth that fails to erupt into the dental arch due to obstruction by bone, another tooth, or soft tissue, requiring orthodontic or surgical intervention.
Full Definition
An impacted tooth is one that is blocked from erupting into its normal position in the dental arch by physical obstruction, insufficient space, or abnormal angulation. The most commonly impacted teeth in orthodontic practice are the maxillary canines and third molars (wisdom teeth). Management may involve surgical exposure and orthodontic traction to guide the tooth into the arch, or extraction if the prognosis is poor. Editors should note that 'impacted' has a precise clinical meaning and should not be used loosely to mean 'affected' or 'displaced'. The adjective 'unerupted' is related but not synonymous: a tooth may be unerupted without being impacted.
Usage
Usage note: 'Impacted' is a precise clinical term. Do not use it loosely to mean 'affected'. An 'unerupted' tooth is not necessarily impacted — query any document that uses the terms interchangeably.
In Context
- "The DPT confirmed the presence of a palatally impacted upper right canine." — Radiographic assessment report
- "Surgical exposure and gold chain attachment were planned for the impacted maxillary canine." — Orthodontic–surgical treatment plan