What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Many people have heard the term “wisdom teeth.”

They are teeth that erupt in adulthood, literally meaning “teeth that grow without parents knowing.”

They are the teeth located furthest back in the mouth, the eighth tooth counting from the front, medically called the “third molar.”

Why Wisdom Teeth Often Cause Problems

The jaws of modern humans have progressively shrunk over evolutionary time.

While societal preferences for smaller faces play a role, the rise of soft, high-calorie foods and reduced chewing frequency are major factors.

Consequently, wisdom teeth erupting straight and normally are rare.

• They often grow crooked, pushing adjacent teeth
• Making cleaning difficult and increasing risk of cavities and gum disease
• Prone to inflammation deep in the jaw (pericoronitis)

For these reasons, wisdom teeth are often candidates for extraction.

Cases Requiring Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is recommended in the following situations:

• When the tooth grows at an angle or sideways, pushing against the adjacent tooth
• When only part of the tooth emerges, causing repeated gum inflammation
• When poor cleaning leads to a high risk of cavities or periodontal disease
• When there is a potential negative impact on orthodontic treatment

Particularly if they negatively impact the adjacent tooth (the seventh tooth), there is a risk of losing not only the wisdom tooth but also the important molar.

Cases Where They Can Be Preserved

On the other hand, wisdom teeth are not necessarily “unnecessary teeth.”

Under certain conditions, cases where they can be effectively utilized also exist.

• They can be used as “autotransplanted teeth” if a molar is lost
• They can be moved forward during orthodontic treatment to improve protruding teeth or malocclusion
• If they bite together properly and cleaning is not an issue, leaving them in place is also an option.

In other words, some wisdom teeth should be extracted, while others should be preserved.

Getting a diagnosis is crucial first

The condition of wisdom teeth varies greatly from person to person.

• Completely impacted
• Partially erupted
• Straight eruption
• Horizontal or angled eruption

Treatment plans differ significantly based on these variations.

It is crucial to first have X-rays or a CT scan taken at a dental clinic to accurately assess the condition.

Summary

• Due to the smaller jaws of modern humans, wisdom teeth rarely grow straight and are prone to causing problems.
• While extraction is often recommended in some cases, there are also situations where they can be effectively utilized.
• Whether your wisdom teeth “should be extracted” or “should be retained” is determined by diagnosis.

If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth or unsure whether extraction is best, please consult a dental clinic first.