Not everybody develops wisdom teeth — also called third molars — or at least not all four of them. In fact, some researchers suggest that about 25% of the population is missing at least one wisdom tooth that never forms.
If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth or if you’ve developed tooth or jaw pain, see Kenn Kakosian, DDS, PhD, and the general dentistry specialists at DentAlign NYC in Midtown East, Manhattan, New York, to schedule a dental evaluation.
Your wisdom teeth are permanent molars that develop in the very back of your mouth, and they’re the last set of permanent adult teeth to erupt.
For a few people, four wisdom teeth grow in normally without any problems. Most never develop wisdom teeth or develop pain and other complications due to abnormal growth. The good news is that you don’t really need these third molars.
Don’t have your wisdom teeth? The reasons these teeth might not all grow in include:
If your wisdom teeth are impacted, they become stuck in your jawbone or gums and don’t erupt as intended. When this happens, wisdom teeth removal is often necessary to reduce your risk of cavities, infections, tooth crowding, adjacent tooth damage, gum disease, and pain.
Even if you have all four wisdom teeth, they may erupt at different times. If just one or two wisdom teeth have grown in, the others might not be far behind. Dr. Kakosian lets you know for sure based on your dental X-rays.
It’s important to recognize the signs of wisdom tooth impaction to know when to see your dentist. Schedule an appointment if you experience:
About 90% of the population develops at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
Dr. Kakosian keeps an eye on your oral health and tooth development when you attend routine dental exams, and he alerts you to potential wisdom tooth impaction or other complications by viewing your dental X-rays. His years of experience help him determine if you’re a candidate for extraction to avoid tooth damage or pain caused by problems with your third molars.
If you have questions about your wisdom teeth, schedule a dental evaluation with Dr. Kakosian and his team. Contact DentAlign NYC today by phone or request an appointment online.
