HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Impacted teeth refer specifically to teeth that have not fully erupted due to a lack of space or an obstruction in the dental arch. This commonly occurs with wisdom teeth, which often do not have enough room to emerge properly within the jaw. When a tooth is impacted, it can become trapped beneath the gums or adjacent teeth, leading to possible complications, such as infection, swelling, and pain.

In contrast, options that suggest teeth have erupted improperly or are dislocated from their socket refer to different dental conditions. While extractions can involve impacted teeth, they do not define the term "impacted teeth." Understanding the context of impaction is essential for recognizing when dental intervention may be needed to address the issues presented by teeth that have not erupted.