Wisdom Teeth
Your third molars are more commonly called “wisdom teeth.” Usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties, third molars often lack the proper space in the jaw to erupt fully or even at all. This common condition is called impaction.
Dentists don't remove as many wisdom teeth as we used to a few years ago. We evaluate wisdom teeth for the likelyhood of giving trouble later in life. If you have such a tooth, it is much easier and safer to remove it when you are young. When any tooth lacks the space to come through or simply develops in the wrong place in your jaw and becomes impacted, problems can arise. Primarily, damage to adjacent teeth and crowding occur. Many wisdom teeth are unlikely to give trouble. It is best to leave these teeth alone.
In certain cases, the wisdom tooth that cannot come through becomes inflamed under the gums and in the jawbone, causing a sac to develop around the root of the tooth that then fills with liquid. This can cause a cyst or an abscess if it becomes infected. If either of these situations goes untreated, serious damage to the underlying bone and surrounding teeth and tissues can result.