Where is the wisdom tooth, features of the structure and indications for removal

The adult has 32 teeth, but not all appear in childhood. Four of them are erupted not earlier than 17 years. Often this process is accompanied by severe pain. But many do not notice him and do not even know where the wisdom tooth is. These last molars, which are externally indistinguishable from neighboring teeth, actually have some peculiarities.

Explanation of the name

Even those people who know well where the wisdom tooth is, often do not understand why it is so called. It is believed that this is due to the fact that he appears at that age when a person already possesses some worldly wisdom. They are cut by each person in different ways, which confirms this theory. Usually it happens in 17-20 years, but they can appear in 30, and even in 40 years.

In ancient times it was believed that these teeth grow only in someone who has already acquired the meaning of life and reached psychological maturity. Therefore, in folk medicine, it was believed that they can not be removed.

Where is the wisdom tooth of man

A photo of a healthy jaw of an adult shows that these molars do not externally differ from neighboring teeth. They are located at the very end of the dentition and among dentists are often called "eight". These are the same molars with a large masticatory surface, like the sixth and the seventh.

This is how all teeth are numbered: 8 teeth are located on each jaw from the middle. It turns out that it is easy to find out how many wisdom teeth should be in an adult. One each on the upper and lower jaws on each side - a total of four. If any of them do not exist, it means that they have not cut through yet, or some problems have arisen in its development. Sometimes a person does not even have the rudiments of one or more of these molars. This can be caused by a hereditary predisposition or features of the development of the jaws.

It's quite difficult to determine at yourselves where the wisdom tooth is located. The photo of the jaw, which can be found in the article, shows that it is located from the very edge. But in the mirror it is difficult to see, and it is almost impossible to feel the language. Therefore, you can avoid problems only with regular visits to the dentist.

Wisdom tooth structure

All human teeth differ from each other in structure and functions. Ahead are one-root teeth - incisors and fangs. They are designed to nibble food. On the sides - premolars and molars with wide chewing surfaces. They are mostly multi-rooted. So is the wisdom tooth. It belongs to molars, and its structure does not externally differ from other similar teeth.

Differences are in the features of the roots. They can be from 2 to 5, which is not characteristic for other molars. If the removal reveals one root of the wisdom tooth, then they have merged together, which happens quite often.

Its features

In the past, people did not even think about where the human wisdom tooth is located. He was one of 32 teeth and performed the same functions as others. Then chewing food required a lot of effort, so he was actively involved in that process. But over time, the food became softer, and the eighth molars began to be considered survivals of the past. Therefore, they often cause serious problems, due to which they have to remove them.

But many dentists point out that pathologies are caused by the fact that the jaw of a modern person has decreased, because he has to chew less hard food, which became due to heat treatment softer. And knowing where the wisdom tooth is, one can understand that he often simply does not have room for eruption.

Usually, by the age of 12, all 28 molars have already appeared in humans. And the eight at this age are just forming. They begin to erupt no earlier than 17 years. This process can last very long, alternately slowing down, then accelerating. Even after this tooth completely erupted, its roots continue to form for several more years. It turns out that it grows about 10 years, and sometimes more.

Another feature of the figure eight is that it appears without previous infant teeth. Therefore, he has to make his way through the jaw bone himself. Because of this, often in the place where the wisdom tooth erupts, there is severe pain and inflammation.

Teething wisdom tooth

Almost all teeth appear in a person in childhood. Parents of kids know what problems this process can accompany. And knowing where the wisdom tooth is, a person can take action if redness and itching of the gums appear in this place. It is better to turn to the dentist in time and prevent complications. And the process of erupting these molars is very often accompanied by pain. In particularly difficult cases, severe inflammation may occur.

Problems with eruption

If a person has formed all four rudiments of eighth molars, this does not mean that they will all cut through. They can remain in the thickness of the jaw for various reasons. In this case, dentists distinguish several varieties of such pathology.

A retarded wisdom tooth is found most often. This occurs when it does not appear completely, part of it is covered by the jaw bone or gum. The reasons for this pathology may be its incorrect position, when the direction of its growth rests against adjacent teeth or cheek. Sometimes he also does not have enough room in the dentition. Despite the fact that it is not visible, it is still a full tooth, subject to the same diseases as the rest.

With prolonged eruption, when for several months, or even years, the gum injures, pericoronaritis - inflammation of the mucosa develops.

If the eight starts to grow, but not upward, as needed, but aside, such pathologies may arise:

• When it rests on the adjacent tooth, it causes its destruction, the development of caries or periodontitis;
• If the figure eight grows toward the cheek, a mucosa forms on the mucosa, which can develop into a cancerous tumor;
• With growth back the tooth must be removed, otherwise serious complications may arise due to the formation of a hood from the gum and its inflammation;
• If it touches the tongue, it causes it to be traumatized and inflamed.

Diseases of these teeth

Features of the arrangement of eights, lack of space in the dentition, and chronic calcium deficiency, characteristic of modern people, leads to the appearance of many pathologies in the development of these teeth. They are most susceptible to such diseases:

• As a result of the complexity of their cleaning, dental stone is often formed on them;
• For the same reason they are prone to tooth decay, which can appear immediately after eruption;
• If caries is not treated in time, pulpitis or periodontitis develops;
• As a result of the fact that the wisdom tooth has to break through the firm gum tissue, there is often a strong inflammation accompanied by general intoxication, weakness, fever;
• If the upper tooth is subjected to destruction, it can infect the maxillary cavity, which will lead to the development of sinusitis;
• Perikoronarit is a strong inflammatory process of the soft tissues of the mucosa.

Do I need to delete them?

Do modern people need wisdom teeth? This question is of interest to many, especially those who are confronted with their pathologies. They believe that it is worth removing these molars immediately, as soon as they erupted, because without them it is easy to do. The same opinion exists among foreign dentists. They try to remove wisdom teeth at once, as there are some problems. But there is another point of view. Russian doctors are trying to treat the pathology of these teeth, removing them only if necessary:

• If they are incorrectly located and grow to the side;
• If they caused inflammation or damage to surrounding tissues;
• When it is impossible to treat caries due to curved roots or difficulties in accessing them;
• If there is a fistula, abscess or cyst;
• When pericoronaritis or osteomyelitis develops.

How to remove the wisdom tooth

This procedure is usually more difficult than removing other teeth. This state is explained by the deep arrangement of the figure-eight. It is also difficult to pull a molar often because it has several roots, and they can be curved, often even in the form of hooks. This is especially dangerous when the figure eight is located in the upper jaw. Roots during removal can damage the maxillary cavity.

Wisdom tooth extraction is performed with obligatory anesthesia. Modern drugs make this process completely painless. Pain may appear later, after the end of the drug, especially if the procedure was complicated. It can last for several days, and even accompanied by an increase in temperature. Complete healing of the hole usually occurs in a few months, although this place is painless for no more than 2 weeks.

When you should not delete them

But this is not always the way to solve the problems that arise. Doctors try to cure this molar if there are no teeth next to him. Then a separate wisdom tooth will be the basis for prosthetics. If he only erupts, he can gradually move and take the place of the missing tooth.

There are also contraindications, in which it is worth noting to delete at all or temporarily:

• A strong inflammatory process in the oral cavity;
• Acute infectious diseases;
• Pathology of the cardiovascular system;
• Mental illness.

How to relieve pain

Pain sensations from teething wisdom are usually very strong. The pain can extend to the entire jaw, as during growth, it shifts adjacent teeth, causing the nerve endings to be squeezed. This is due to the fact that the eight does not have enough space, he is forced to erupt, shifting adjacent teeth. In addition, it breaks through the bone tissue of the jaw and dense gum. In severe pain, it is recommended to take a tablet of "Analgin" or "Ketorol". You can not warm a sore spot or put on the gums different medications, especially if there is an inflammatory process.

Rinse the mouth with a solution of salt and soda, but it should be cool. You can also use for this purpose decoctions of sage, chamomile, lemon balm or oak bark. If there is inflammation, the gum may be smeared with sea buckthorn oil. To ease the condition when a wisdom tooth is erupted, if this process is not accompanied by complications, it is recommended to use this solution: in a liter of cool water add a tablespoon of sea salt, 10 g of camphor alcohol and 100 ml of ammonia. The cotton wool soaked in such a solution is applied to the gum for 10 minutes.

If a person had to find out where the wisdom tooth is located, for the painful symptoms of eruption, it is better to immediately consult a doctor. Then you can avoid complications.