Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to appear in your mouth, occurring normally 17 and 25 years of age, a time of life called the “Age of Wisdom”. 

 
Anthropologists have noted that the rough diet of early humans resulted in the excessive wearing out of their teeth. The normal drifting of teeth to compensate for this wear and tear ensured that space was available for most wisdom teeth to grow.

 
The modern diet that is considerably softer, and some tooth-aligning procedures produce a fuller dental arch, which quite commonly doesn’t leave room for the wisdom teeth, thereby setting the stage for problems when they actually start to grow.The average jaw is made to hold only 28 teeth and can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit into that space! These four other teeth are your third Molars – the famed “wisdom teeth”.

It isn’t wise to wait until your wisdom teeth start to bother you. In general, earlier removal results in a less complicated healing process. Researchers have found that older patients may be at a greater risk of disease, including periodontitis, in tissues surrounding the third molars and adjacent teeth. Periodontal infections, such as those observed in this study, may affect your general health.

Before wisdom tooth removal, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will discuss with you what to expect. This is a good time to ask questions or express your concerns. It is especially important to let the doctor know about any illness you might have and medications that you might be taking.

The relative ease with which a wisdom tooth may be removed depends on several conditions, including the position of the tooth and root development. Partially or totally impacted wisdom teeth may require a longer surgical procedure.

Most wisdom tooth extractions are performed in dental offices under local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will discuss the aesthetic option that is right for you.Wisdom teeth are easier to remove when the patient is younger, since their roots are not completely formed, the surrounding bone is softer, and there is less chance of damaging nearby nerves or other structures. Removal of wisdom teeth at a later age becomes more complicated as the roots have fully developed (may involve the nerve), and the jaw bone is denser.