In simple words: An impacted tooth is one that is unable to fully emerge or grow into its proper position in the mouth because it's blocked by another tooth, gum tissue, or bone.

Impacted teeth: A condition where the eruption of one or more teeth is obstructed by another tooth.

Example 1: A 17-year-old patient presents with pain and swelling in the lower jaw. Radiographic imaging reveals an impacted wisdom tooth that is putting pressure on adjacent teeth. The dentist recommends surgical extraction of the impacted tooth., A 25-year-old patient experiences recurrent infections around a partially erupted lower wisdom tooth. The dentist determines that the tooth is impacted and unable to erupt fully, leading to the trapping of food debris and bacteria. Surgical removal of the impacted tooth is advised., A panoramic radiograph taken during a routine dental checkup of a 30-year-old patient incidentally reveals an asymptomatic impacted canine tooth. Although the tooth is not causing any immediate problems, the dentist discusses the potential risks of leaving it in place, such as cyst formation or damage to adjacent teeth, and presents the option of surgical removal.

Documentation should include clinical findings such as pain, swelling, infection, or evidence of the impacted tooth on imaging studies like radiographs. Details of the affected tooth, its position, and its relationship to other teeth should also be recorded.