Atypical wisdom tooth extraction by dentist Alina Kostenko

There's a common, yet erroneous, belief that wisdom teeth (or third molars, as they're known scientifically) can erupt at any age. This isn't actually true. Third molar buds begin to form at 6-7 years of age, often detected during routine x-rays, while the roots of the eighth molars begin to form at 15-17 years of age. Wisdom teeth complete their formation at 21-22 years of age (or, in rare cases, at 25-27 years of age).

A complete set of third molars - one on each side and on each jaw - is found in 92% of the adult population.
In 78% of cases, wisdom tooth eruption is associated with various complications. These can include pericoronitis, decay, changes in the position of adjacent teeth, malocclusion, neoplastic processes, etc. In 0.1% of cases, not four but more wisdom teeth develop—usually six, due to double upper third molars.

The influence of wisdom teeth on the dental system:

• By creating nonspecific lateral load on the dentition, third molars are one of the main causes of dental crowding, and not only during the eruption period.
• Very often, in almost 80% of cases, the eruption of wisdom teeth is associated with various purulent-inflammatory complications and poses a real danger to health and life. A hood of mucous membrane forms over the erupting tooth, creating a pocket around it where plaque, food debris, and bacteria actively accumulate.
• It is important to know that it is useless to hope for the correct and uncomplicated eruption of wisdom teeth if the patient has a clear lack of space in the dental arch.
• In general, indications for wisdom teeth removal can be formulated as follows: any disease or complication associated with wisdom teeth, as well as the risk of developing these diseases or complications.