Impacted Teeth

Wisdom teeth are your third and final molars.

Normally people have three permanent molars that develop in each quadrant of the mouth; upper, lower, right and left. The first molars usually grow into the mouth at about the age of six. The second molars grow in at around age 12. The third molars usually will try to grow in at around age 18 to 20 years.

Often, wisdom teeth that don’t erupt into the mouth properly become impacted, or forced into an awkward, stressful position. Teeth that have not erupted are not necessarily impacted. It may be that it is still too early in someone’s dental development, and if time passes they might grow in properly.

Extraction is usually performed when the roots are approximately formed, or three-fourths developed. This is typically during the adolescent years, as early removal will help to eliminate problems such as an impacted tooth that destroys the second molar.