Wisdom teeth are a type of molar teeth. Molars are used for chewing teeth and they can be found furthest in the back of the mouth. Most of us have first, second, and third molars in our mouth.
An individual's third molars are their wisdom teeth. Wisdom tooth comes in behind the 2nd molar and this happens usually during a person's late teens or early twenties. There are four wisdom teeth in mouth which includes upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right.
Dentists use specific terms to describe the positioning of the wisdom teeth. The common type of impacted wisdom tooth is the one that is impacted mesially. The term "mesial" means that the wisdom tooth is angled forward and toward the front of the mouth. Apart from that, mesially, vertically, horizontally, and distally impacted wisdom teeth can also be classified into soft tissue or bony impactions. Bony impaction shows that the wisdom tooth is fully encased in the jaw's bone. Soft tissue impaction is the upper portion of a wisdom tooth which has penetrated through the bone but not erupted fully through the gums.
Wisdom teeth which are also called as third molars are the last teeth to erupt. This tooth erupts between the ages of 17 and 25. However, there remains a great deal of controversy on whether these teeth need to be removed or not. It is suggested that teeth which remain completely buried or un-erupted in a normal position are not very likely to cause any harm. However, if these impacted teeth are in an abnormal position, the potential of the tooth harm should be assessed and remedies should be taken to get rid of it.
A tooth also becomes impacted due to lack of space in the dental arch. The eruption is therefore prevented by gum, bone and also another tooth or it could be all three of them. Lack of the space occurs because our jaws become smaller. We do not loose teeth through decay as compared to the past. Wisdom teeth can turn out to become a problem when they grow and develop in every corner of your mouth. Since the development normally takes several years, the problem tends to develop gradually. These gradual changes in tooth can cause sudden and severe pain. You should take preventive measures before they occur. You should take preventive measure for wisdom teeth, preferably at an early stage.
The jawbone of humans grows to approximately its adult size by late teens.Unfortunately, that size of jawbone is often too small to hold wisdom teeth which are developing. When there is not enough room for your wisdom teeth, the tooth may become impacted. It could be partially trapped in the jawbone and gums. The crown of the tooth may erupt. It could just break through the gum or it could remain completely within the bone. The roots of tooth can grow in unusual directions. This may cause a variety of problems in your mouth.