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3rd molars [wisdom teeth] usually develop and erupt around age 18.    It is at this time that a special X-Ray is often times taken … called a panoramic x-ray.     At our office we then decide if the 3rd molars should be extracted.

Typical reasons for removing 3rd molars are:

• There is not enough room for full eruption into the correct position.
• They are impinging on the neighboring molars.
• They may increase the odds of further crowding of your other teeth.
• They develop very sore or infected gums if they are only partially through the gum … and cannot fully erupt into position.
• If they are partly erupted they are very hard to clean and much more prone to decay and gum disease.
• Without the 3rd molars it is easier to clean the 2nd molars in front of them … further reducing the risks of cavities and gum disease on these teeth.
• Unerupted 3rd molars sometimes develop cysts around them, which requires their removal.

At a young age the wisdom teeth are easier to remove, since often times the roots have not fully formed.  Also, teenagers heal more easily and thoroughly than older adults.

Note the 4 wisdom teeth … all impacted under the gum and jaw bone.

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Note all four 3rd molars …  2 are erupted almost completely and 2 are impacted completely.  Also, the one on the lower left side of the x ray has a cyst around it.