Impacted wisdom teeth - Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth
Apr 21, 2006
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).

Introduction
Signs and symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
When to seek medical advice
Screening and diagnosis
Complications
Treatment
Coping skills

Introduction
What's so smart about wisdom teeth if it seems like they're nothing but trouble in the long run?

Indeed, impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems, from nuisance pain to serious dental disorders. They often must be surgically removed.

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, stuck way in the back of your mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth Û two on top, two on bottom. Wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to come in, or erupt through the gums. They normally emerge between ages 17 and 21.

Oftentimes, wisdom teeth aren't able to emerge normally and instead become impacted, or trapped within your jaw. Understanding more about impacted wisdom teeth can help you decide how and when to treat them and how to prevent related complications.

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