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Wisdom teeth are third molars. Normally people have three permanent
molars that develop in each quadrant of the mouth; upper, lower,
right and left. The first molars usually grow into the mouth
at around six years of age. The second molars grow in at around
age 12. The third molars usually will try to grow in at around
age 18 to 20 years. Since that is considered to be the age when
people become wiser, third molars gained the nickname, "wisdom
teeth." Actually, they are no different than any other tooth
except that they are the last teeth to erupt, or grow into the
mouth. They are just as useful as any other tooth if they grow
in properly, have a proper bite relationship, and have healthy
gum tissue around them.
When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth
properly, they are referred to as impacted. Teeth that have
not erupted are not necessarily impacted. It may be that it
is still too early in someone's dental development, and if time
passes they might grow in properly. A dentist must examine a
patient's mouth and his or her x-rays to determine if the teeth
are impacted or will not grow in properly. Impacted teeth may
cause problems. Impacted teeth can result in infection, decay
of adjacent teeth, gum disease or formation of a cyst or tumor
from the follicle, which is the tissue which formed the crown
of the tooth. Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom
teeth to prevent potential problems.
Erupted wisdom teeth may also need to be removed. The dentist
may recommend this if the tooth is non-functional, interfering
with the bite, badly decayed, involved with or at risk for periodontal
disease, or interfering with restoration of an adjacent tooth.
Once again, every case is different and only your dentist can
determine if there is a reason for you to have a tooth removed.
Most dentists will recommend removal of the wisdom teeth, (when
the roots are approximately formed, or three-fourths developed,
usually in the adolescent years),as early removal will help
to eliminate problems, such as an impacted tooth that destroys
the second molar. Third molar impaction is the most prevalent
medical developmental disorder.
Wisdom tooth extraction involves accessing the tooth through
the soft and hard tissue, gently detaching the connective tissue
between the tooth and the bone and removing the tooth. |
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