What are wisdom teeth?
The third molar in your mouth is called a “Wisdom Tooth”. This is the very last molar in the upper and lower left and right side of your mouth. These are the last teeth in the dental arch. Most people have wisdom teeth but some never have them develop. It is possible as well for a person to have more than four wisdom teeth. In many cases, the wisdom teeth aren’t visible because they have become impacted (not normally erupted through the gums) under the gingival (gum) tissue.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Sometimes, you will feel the effects of the wisdom teeth before you can see them in the mouth. Erupting wisdom teeth will usually produce a feeling of pressure or dull throbbing in the back of the jaws, in some cases they cause shifting of other teeth and in other cases they cause infections.Deep pockets or recession around the adjacent teeth is possible. This is why we will suggest removing the wisdom teeth before too much damage is caused.
Removal of a wisdom tooth is indicated if the tooth has partially erupted through the gingival tissue, causing inflammation and/or infection. This condition is called a partially erupted, or partially impacted wisdom tooth.
A panoramic radiograph is usually taken to help us assess the angle of eruption and state of development of the tooth. Most wisdom teeth can be seen erupting through the gums in early adulthood, between the ages of 16 to 23.
