The presence of wisdom teeth is very variable. We can find one, two, three or even one too many, in which case they are called supernumerary. More than 70% of the population has all 4 wisdom teeth (third molars or wisdom teeth), and 10% suffer from agenesis, that is, they lack one or more of them.
At what age do wisdom teeth appear?
The age of appearance is variable, the symptoms can begin at 14 years of age and continue throughout life if no measures are taken in the indicated cases, which is why it is very important to follow their evolution by means of radiographic study.
Is it advisable to extract wisdom teeth?
In the vast majority of cases the extraction of wisdom teeth is indicated, since there is usually no space for them to erupt correctly. On many occasions, on their exit trajectory they impact against the root of the second molar causing resorption of the latter. As a general rule, only in large maxillae with sufficient space for correct eruption would it be indicated to keep them.
In addition, there is no alternative to extraction, in case of refusal by the patient, the dental specialist will carry out clinical and radiographic controls periodically.
What ailments can wisdom teeth cause?
The most common is that wisdom teeth cause discomfort and even pain when they appear, but they can also trigger:
- Pericoronaritis: understood as pain in the gum that partially covers the wisdom tooth. It can range from an acute pain with presence of suppuration due to the impact of food and inability to sanitize the area, to a more diffuse but continuous chronic pain.
- Halitosis or bad breath: due to food debris and inability to clean at that level.
Other problems that can result from wisdom teeth are:
- Repeated pharyngitis
- Repeated headaches
- Sinusitis
- Caries
- Cysts of dental origin
- TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) pain