Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final teeth to develop in the human jaw. It is often possible to see the development of this tooth on a dental x-ray of a patient in the early teenage years. Development is generally completed by the late teens or early twenty's. In many patients, this final tooth does not erupt into proper position within the dental arch, and removal is necessary.

At West 10th Dental Group, we will monitor the development and eruption of wisdom teeth from the earliest stages to detect any possible problems.

The most common problem associated with wisdom teeth occurs when the eruption is blocked by soft tissue, bone, adjacent teeth or pathology. This tooth is then considered to be impacted, and removal of an impacted tooth is most often advisable. If left impacted, a tooth will be a likely source for future disease or destructive processes.

Whenever an impacted tooth becomes a threat to your dental health, your dentist at West 10th Dental Group will advise you on the best course of action.

Back To Main