Wisdom teeth are third molars.  Normally people have three permanent molars that develop in each quadrant of the mough; upper, lower, and left.  The first molars usually grow into the mouth at around six years of age.  The second molars grow in at around age 12.  The third molars usually will try to grow in at around age 18 to 20 years.  Since that is considered to be the age when people become wiser, theird molars gained the nickname, "wisdom teeth."  Actually, they aer no different than any other tooth except that they aer the last teeth to erupt, or grow into the mouth.  They are just as useful as any other toothe if they grow in properly, have a proper bite relationship, and have healthy gum tissue around them.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen.

 

When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth properly, they are referred to as impacted.  Teeth that have not erupted are not necessarily impacted.  It may be that it is still too early in someone's dental development, and if time passes they might grow in properly.  A dentist must examine a patient's mouth and his or her x-rays to determine if the teeth are impacted or will not grow in properly.  Impacted teeth may cause problems.  Impacted teeth can result in infection, decay of adjacent teeth, gum disease or formation of a cyst or tumor from the follicle, which is the tissue which formed the crown of the tooth.  Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent potential problems.