WHEN DO WISDOM TEETH USUALLY EMERGE?

WHEN DO WISDOM TEETH USUALLY EMERGE?

When do wisdom teeth usually emerge? Wisdom teeth typically appear between the ages of 17 and 21. However, they can erupt later than this age range. These teeth are the last to emerge on each side of the jaw. The timing of their eruption depends on available space in the jaw. Moreover, some cases of wisdom teeth agenesis (non-existence) occur, when the genes that forms the wisdom tooth is absent.

Sometimes, there can be inflammation of the surrounding gums (pericoronitis or pericoronal infection), especially associated with incomplete wisdom tooth eruption. This can lead to symptoms such as severe pain, swollen gums due to edema or abscess, limited mouth opening, and bad breath.

Thus, wisdom teeth may also be impacted or partially impacted due to incorrect eruption. The tooth remains impacted, twisted, or even retained within the jawbone when there isn’t enough space for proper positioning in the dental arch or when the tooth’s position is horizontal (lying down) within the jawbone, preventing its eruption. In cases of an impacted tooth, root resorption of neighboring teeth may occur. Althoug, for partially impacted teeth, cavities can develop due to food impaction and difficulty in cleaning.

WHEN WISDOM TEETH SOULD BE REMOVED?

Besides, extraction of wisdom teeth should be considered when:

• There is insufficient space in the dental arch.

• The tooth remains impacted, causing symptoms or resorption of adjacent roots.

• There is untreated decay (cavity).

• The tooth is fractured.

• Formation of cysts associated with the tooth.