# Wisdom Tooth Extraction

> Citation bundle for Wisdom Tooth Extraction on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction

- Category: dental

## Description

The third molar, commonly called wisdom tooth, is the most posterior of the three molars in each quadrant of the human dentition. The age at which wisdom teeth come through (erupt) is variable, but this generally occurs between late teens and early twenties.

## Overview

Wisdom teeth are the third molars — the most posterior of the three molars in each quadrant of the adult dentition. They usually erupt (come through the gum) between the late teens and early twenties, and most adults have four, one in each quadrant, although some people have none, fewer, or extra (supernumerary) teeth. When there is not enough space for a wisdom tooth to come through normally it may become stuck, or impacted, and fail to erupt fully. Impacted and partially erupted wisdom teeth can create clinical problems: they may be difficult to keep clean, making them prone to tooth decay, and a partially erupted tooth can allow inflammation and infection of the surrounding gum, a condition called pericoronitis. Wisdom tooth extraction is commonly used to treat or prevent these problems, and impacted wisdom teeth are also sometimes removed as part of orthodontic treatment, on the belief that they push other teeth and cause crowding — although that link is disputed. For some cases, more conservative treatments such as an operculectomy (removing the flap of gum over a partially erupted tooth) may be appropriate instead. The prophylactic removal of impacted wisdom teeth that are free of disease is not universally recommended; some authorities, including the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, advise against it.

## FAQs

### What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the most posterior molars in each quadrant of the mouth. They usually erupt between the late teens and early twenties, and most adults have four, although some people have none, fewer, or extra (supernumerary) teeth.

### What does it mean for a wisdom tooth to be impacted?

A wisdom tooth is impacted when there is not enough space for it to come through the gum normally, so it becomes stuck and does not erupt fully.

### Why are wisdom teeth removed?

Impacted wisdom teeth are commonly extracted to treat or prevent problems such as tooth decay (because they can be hard to keep clean) and pericoronitis, an inflammation and infection of the gum around a partially erupted tooth.

### Do wisdom teeth cause crowding of other teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth are sometimes removed during orthodontic treatment on the belief that they push other teeth and cause crowding, but this link is disputed.

### Are there alternatives to extraction?

For some cases, more conservative treatments may be appropriate — for example an operculectomy, which removes the flap of gum overlying a partially erupted tooth.

### Should wisdom teeth be removed if they are not causing problems?

The prophylactic removal of disease-free impacted wisdom teeth is not universally recommended. Some authorities, including the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, advise against it.