Wisdom tooth

Wisdom tooth is the third molar tooth in the oral cavity. It erupts by the age of 18-24 years. It is one of the permanent tooth. According to the Internation FDI Classification, the wisdom tooth or third molar tooth is denoted by number 8 and number 1, 2,3 or 4 according to the quadrant in which it is present like the wisdom tooth if present in lower left quadrant, then it is denoted by 38

Wisdom tooth sometimes erupt fully in the oral cavity while sometimes it erupts partially. But there are certain cases, in which the wisdom tooth does not erupts at all. It remains totally embedded in the jaw bone. In such cases, the wisdom tooth does not creates any problem, until unless any infection occur.

In such cases, it is needed to bed surgically removed and it is termed to be as impaction. The wisdom tooth if present in the jaw bone, then it may be lying vertically in the bone, known as vertically impacted tooth, if it lies horizontally, then horizontally impacted tooth.

It may also be lying messily or distally, known as Mesioangular Impaction. There are more chances of development of caries in the wisdom tooth because it is most posterior lying tooth, where the person is unable to clean properly with the brush. Hence, food lodgment occurs, leading to acid formation, accumulation of bacterial plaque and finally carious lesion develops.

Lover Wisdom tooth generally has two roots which may be separated or fused. While the upper tooth have two three roots, that may be fused or separated.

Anatomy and morphology of root canals may be variable in care of wisdom tooth, hence the Root Canal Treatment has not been found so successful in case of third molar.

It has been a myth in case of rural area people, they won’t get wisdom until the third molar tooth, that is the wisdom tooth get erupted in the oral cavity. But is a totally false view. Wisdom tooth has no relation with any sort or intellect.