Wisdom teeth (third molars) are typically the last four teeth to grow in and will generally surface between the ages of 17 and 25.  As they surface, wisdom teeth can negatively affect the other teeth and that is why they are usually extracted. 

For example, wisdom teeth can become impacted, meaning that they become stuck in an undesirable position.  When this occurs, infections and other problems can arise and the neighboring teeth can also become damaged.  Impacted teeth also have the potential to give rise to cysts or tumors.  Impaction occurs when there is not enough room to accommodate the surfacing tooth or when a tooth erupts at an improper angle.

Degrees of Impaction

Depending on the depth of the teeth within the jaw, impaction can vary in its degree.  The three main types or degrees of impaction include:

• Soft tissue impaction -- A soft tissue impaction occurs when the tooth's crown has erupted through the bone but has not fully surfaced through the gum tissue.  When this type of impaction occurs, food particles may become trapped beneath the gum, resulting in the development of infections, tooth decay and discomfort.
• Partial bony impaction -- This type of impaction refers to a scenario where a tooth has partially surfaced through the jawbone but part of its crown remains submerged beneath the gum tissue and bone.  Once again, this will often lead to infections due to difficulty with keeping the area clean.
• Complete bony impaction -- A complete bony impaction occurs when a tooth is completely submerged within the jawbone.  This type of impaction requires a more complex extraction process.

Reasons for Extracting Wisdom Teeth

While wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed, extractions of such teeth are very common.  Wisdom teeth may be extracted in order to address a problem which has already presented itself, such as pain or infection, or in order to prevent problems from occurring in the future.  Preventing or promptly treating impacted wisdom teeth is extremely important as, if left untreated, impactions can lead to very serious problems such as:

• Tooth damage -- Second molars, which are located next to the wisdom teeth, can be damaged by impacted wisdom teeth.  Such damage can include decay, periodontal disease and even bone loss.
• Tooth crowding -- While not a scientifically validated theory, some dental professionals believe that impacted wisdom teeth can exert pressure on neighboring teeth, resulting in crowding and misalignment.
• Infection or disease -- When impaction of wisdom teeth occurs, bacteria and food particles can become trapped beneath the gum tissue, causing painful and dangerous infections.  While less common, it is also possible for cysts and tumors to develop around impacted wisdom teeth.

The Extraction Procedure

The positioning of wisdom teeth and the presence of any existing or potential problems can be assessed with the use of dental x-rays and a thorough examination by a dental professional.  It is highly recommended that such an evaluation be conducted when a patient is in their mid-teens, as early identification and treatment of problems will lead to better results. 

The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is performed by a specially trained dentist and takes place at a dental surgery office.  This type of surgery does not require an overnight stay and typically involves the use of local anaesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation.  In some cases, however, the surgery may be performed under general anaesthesia.