Wisdom Teeth
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Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last
teeth to erupt in your mouth and are the teeth least needed for good oral
health. Most people have four wisdom teeth that usually erupt through the
gums in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes wisdom teeth remain
trapped in the jawbone under the gums because there is insufficient room
for them to erupt.
Wisdom teeth can cause gum disease, crowding or other damage to adjacent
teeth, decay (due to the inability of your toothbrush to keep the area clean),
and bone destroying cysts. Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms
of problem wisdom teeth. Whether you have obvious symptoms or not, it is
important to diagnose existing or potential problems caused by your wisdom
teeth. Removal is often the wisest decision for your health and well-being. |
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Horizontal Impaction is a severe condition that
always requires extraction.
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Vertical Impaction. In time, vertically impacted
teeth may erupt. However, in many cases the process is painful and
can damage and crowd adjacent teeth.
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| Mesial Impaction is the most common condition requiring
extraction. |
Distal Impaction. The term “distal” simply
means that the wisdom tooth is angled back, towards the rear of the
mouth. |
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