Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth (also called “third molars”) usually do not push through the gums until people are in their late teens, twenties or even older. Wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to come through the gums.

Most people have four wisdom teeth. Some people have no wisdom teeth.
Often there is little space at the rear of the jaws for wisdom teeth. Some people have no wisdom teeth.
Often there is little space at the rear of the jaws for wisdom teeth to come easily through the gums. If the jaw does not have enough room for the wisdom tooth to come through, the tooth will become wedged in or “impacted”.
Some impacted wisdom teeth remain buried and cause no trouble. However, other impacted wisdom teeth may cause severe problems.
Often one or more wisdom teeth will cause problems and must be removed. If one or more of your wisdom teeth causes problems, your dentist may recommend that it be removed.
Removal of a wisdom tooth is a very common procedure. Removal of troublesome wisdom teeth should usually be done as soon as possible before the problems get worse.