Understanding Wisdom Teeth and the Importance of Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom is often associated with age and experience, but in the world of dentistry, the term "wisdom" takes on a more literal form wisdom teeth . These third molars usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties, a time historically referred to as the “age of wisdom.” While their name might imply something positive, wisdom teeth often come with complications that make wisdom teeth removal a necessary step for many individuals. What Are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to develop in the back corners of your mouth. Most adults have four: two on the top and two on the bottom. While these teeth were useful for our ancestors, whose diets required more chewing of tough foods, modern dental evolution has made them somewhat obsolete. In many cases, there simply isn’t enough room in the mouth to accommodate these extra molars. As a result, wisdom teeth can become impacted, misaligned, or only partially erupt, leading to pain, infection, and damage to...