Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth (pronunciation: /ˈwɪzdəm ti:θ/), also known as third molars, are the last teeth to develop and appear in the human mouth. They are called "wisdom teeth" because they usually appear during late teens or early twenties, a period traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.
Etymology
The term "wisdom tooth" comes from the early English phrase "teeth of wisdom", which was translated from the Latin term "dens sapientiae". The name reflects the age at which these teeth typically appear, a time when a person is said to be wiser than in their childhood or adolescence.
Anatomy
Wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth, behind the second molars. They are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, wisdom teeth fail to emerge in proper alignment or are unable to fully emerge through the gum line and become trapped or "impacted" between the jawbone and the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to other teeth and other dental problems.
Related Terms
- Impacted tooth: A tooth that has failed to emerge fully into its expected position.
- Molar: A type of tooth found in mammals, used for grinding food as part of digestion.
- Tooth eruption: The process by which a tooth moves from its site of development within the jaws to its final functional position in the oral cavity.
- Oral surgery: A branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions requiring surgical intervention, including the removal of wisdom teeth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wisdom Teeth
- Wikipedia's article - Wisdom Teeth
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