Wisdom teeth are the third molars, which grow at the very back of our jaw, right behind the second molars. Wisdom teeth were once an evolutionary tool for humans, allowing our ancestors to chew and grind hard-textured food products, such as raw meat and vegetation.
So, whilst some people may grow wisdom teeth, they are no longer needed in a mouth for eating.
The appearance of a wisdom tooth
The surface of the tooth
The appearance of our wisdom tooth is very similar to our first and second molars; each person with wisdom teeth will find that they have their own unique appearance, like each of our other teeth.
The surface of the tooth is large, perfect for helping pulverise food. The top of the tooth has ridges, pits and fissures, which can be found on all molars. They help by creating friction between the top and bottom sets of teeth.
The rootThe anatomic portion of the tooth that is covered by cementum and is located in the alveolus (socket) where it is attached by the periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of tooth. of the wisdom tooth
Below the gum are the roots, like the surface of the tooth, the root is also very unique to each person. Some wisdom teeth may have multiple roots, varying anywhere from 2-4. It’s not uncommon for these roots to fuse together to appear as one large root, which is in a cone-like shape. In cases where the individual roots haven’t fused, the roots might protrude in a few directions, and in some cases, the root may even twist or flare outward in various directions.
What does an impacted wisdom tooth look like?
Partially erupted
A partially erupted tooth will be visible on the gum line, and you may see part of the tooth emerging from the surface. This can sometimes cause the gums around it to be swollen and inflamed, causing them to be slightly pinker or redder than the rest of the gums.
Fully Impacted
Impacted wisdom teeth are unable to erupt through the gums, typically due to an obstruction, whether that be limited space to grow upwards, or becoming lodged against the back molarTeeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on either side of the jaw; grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces..
Wisdom teeth do not always erupt; this differs from a fully impacted wisdom tooth. A non-erupted wisdom tooth that is impacted can be more problematic for patients, causing physical discomfort in the area.
The physical symptoms which can help you to spot an impacted wisdom tooth include:
- Discomfort in the area
- Bleeding when brushing
- Bleeding when flossing
- Pain when opening the mouth
- Bad breath
- Headaches
If you can see or think your wisdom teeth are growing through, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep an eye on their growth. Wisdom teeth can take a while to fully erupt and can cause mild discomfort as they do; this is normal. If the pain intensifies and is persistent, and is coupled with other symptoms listed above.
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