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Wisdom Teeth

  1. What are wisdom teeth?
  2. Why is there often not enough space for the wisdom teeth?
  3. What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
  4. Should wisdom teeth be extracted?
  5. What problems make extraction of a wisdom tooth necessary?
  6. Who should remove impacted wisdom teeth?

 
1. What are wisdom teeth?

  • Wisdom teeth are the third and last molar teeth to form and erupt into the mouth.
  • They erupt or come into the mouth between the ages of 17 and 21.

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2. Why is there often not enough space for the wisdom teeth?

  • The jaw size may be too small.
  • The tooth sizes may be too large.
    Evolutionary changes have led to a tendency towards smaller jaws.

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3. What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

  • An impacted tooth is one that is prevented from growing into its normal position.
    Other teeth, bone or gum may be the cause of the obstruction.
Click to enlarge
Impacted wisdom teeth
Click to enlarge
Impacted tooth
lying horizontally

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4. Should wisdom teeth be extracted?

  • Only impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other problems need to be removed.
    • Not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed.
    • Impacted teeth that are dormant and are not a problem should be left alone.
    • The removal of deeply impacted teeth can damage nerves in the area.

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5. What problems make extraction of a wisdom tooth necessary?

  • The symptoms below may require the removal of a wisdom tooth:
    • Severe, constant pain from an impacted wisdom tooth.
    • Frequent infection around the wisdom tooth.
    • A pericoronitis around a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
    • Decay in the wisdom tooth that cannot be repaired.
    • Peridontal disease around the adjacent tooth, caused by the wisdom tooth.
    • The wisdom tooth may cause other problems to the tooth next to it.

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6. Who should remove impacted wisdom teeth?

  • The general dentist is able to extract wisdom teeth that are not expected to be too difficult to remove.
  • Badly Impacted wisdom teeth are usually extracted by oral surgeons.

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