…Everyone’s favorite line to hear at the dentist. #amiright ? But it’s really the only way we can actually see what’s going on all the way back there! ?

So, what are wisdom teeth ?❓
Glad you asked! WISDOM TEETH, also known as *third molars*, are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties, the so called “age of wisdom.” IF they happen to fit in the mouth correctly and are healthy (and that is a BIG ‘if’ ?), they can be helpful and provide increased chewing efficiency ?

This tooth model, called a TYPODONT, shows what the wisdom teeth look like when they are able to fit and grow into the correct position. Unfortunately, most of us are not ? perfect ? like this computer ? generated model. More often than not, the wisdom teeth in us *IMPERFECT* HUMANS are misaligned or develop pathology ? and require removal ❌? Misalignment or ‘malposition’ of the wisdom teeth can result in difficultly cleaning the wisdom teeth themselves, but also the adjacent second molars. Over time, food and plaque get stuck and build up in the pockets in front and in back of the teeth. It is nearly impossible to keep these areas clean with a toothbrush or floss (not that you’re doing anything wrong ??‍♂️, the toothbrush and floss just don’t fit back there!). Eventually, bacteria ? that live in your mouth eat this food like it’s a Thanksgiving meal ?, and create all kinds of problems like cavities and infections, which can result in inflammation, pain, and swelling of your gums and even face! ?

In most people, the wisdom teeth begin developing ? around the age of 12. They are not fully formed until roughly the age of 18-20 ?. An oral surgeon can evaluate the teeth with an x-ray (more on that later), and can usually determine if the teeth are going to fit correctly or not by the age of 14 or 15 years old. This is the BEST time to get evaluated, because if you do need surgery, it can be a way easier ?and lower risk ? surgery with a smoother recovery ?. Many people don’t come in for an evaluation until something is bothering them, but I think that’s a mistake ?

So, do you have YOUR wisdom teeth? ?

Dr. Michael Schiffman is an oral surgeon at Schiffman Oral Surgery who offers oral surgery services such as wisdom teeth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, and dental implant surgery to patients of the Five Towns in Long Island, New York and surrounding towns on the South Shore of Nassau County including Woodmere NY • Hewlett NY • Cedarhurst NY • Valley Stream NY • Woodsburgh NY • Lawrence NY • Inwood NY • Far Rockaway NY • Lynbrook NY • Oceanside NY • Rockville Centre NY.