Wisdom Teeth

• Wisdom teeth are third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws.
• They generally erupt between the ages of 17 to 25.
• Most adults have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have more, in which case they are called supernumerary teeth.

Wisdom teeth that are not painful seem harmless enough. But if they are not removed early, they often cause problems such as:

1. INFECTION (PERIOCORONTIS) which can cause severe pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and even general illness.

2. DESTRUCTION OF THE NEXT TOOTH: An impacted tooth may still try to grow where it has no room, eroding the tooth next to it.

3. PAIN: Infection in a decayed wisdom tooth or in the gum around an impacted tooth can cause pain.

4. CROWDING: An impacted tooth can crowd nearby molars out of alignment. If you are undergoing orthodontic care, we may recommend that your impacted wisdom teeth be removed.

5. CYSTS: When a tooth is impacted, the sac of tissue around the crown remains in the bone. Occasionally, the sac fills with fluid forming a cyst that can readily destroy or enlarge the bone and endanger surrounding structures.