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Although any of the adult or baby teeth may become impacted, the most common impacted tooth is the upper and lower third molar teeth also known as the wisdom teeth. There are
usually four wisdom teeth, one on the upper and lower on each side of the mouth. They are the teeth farthest back in the mouth which means they may also be the most difficult to clean even if they erupt into the proper position! Wisdom teeth begin to
form and develop in the jaw bone at nine years of age. By approximately age sixteen the jaws have reached their adult size. The jaw size determines whether there will be enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt into the mouth normally. If there is not
enough room for the wisdom teeth to come in, they will remain trapped in the jaw bone. When this happens the wisdom teeth are said to be impacted. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them
to erupt successfully. Sometimes part of the wisdom tooth shows in the mouth. This tooth is still impacted, as part of the biting surface of the tooth is covered by bone and/or gum tissue. |
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