Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are the last four of 32 teeth to erupt in the mouth. They generally present in patients between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (both top and bottom). The term "wisdom" stems from the idea that the molars surface at a time typically associated with increased maturity or "wisdom".
In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, cavities, gum disease, damage to other teeth, and potential cysts or tumors.
There are several types, or degrees, of impaction based on the actual depth of the teeth within the jaw:
1) Soft Tissue Impaction: The upper portion of the tooth (the crown) has penetrated through the bone, but the gingiva (gum) is covering part or all of the tooth’s crown and has not positioned properly around the tooth. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, food can become trapped below the gum and cause an infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.
2) Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum and surrounding jawbone. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, infection will commonly occur.
3) Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth is completely encased by the jawbone. This will require more complex removal techniques.
