Wisdom tooth: Difference between revisions

'''Wisdom teeth''' are third [[molar (tooth)|molar]]s that usually appear between the ages of 17 and 24 (although they may appear when older, younger, or may not appear at all). They are commonly [[Extraction (dental)|extracted]] when they affect other [[teeth]]&mdash;this impaction is colloquially known as "coming in sideways."<ref name="umanitoba">[http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/wisdomtooth/wteeth.htm To Keep or Not to Keep: Wisdom Teeth], hosted on the University of Manitoba: School of Dental Hygiene website. Page accessed January 17, 2007.</ref> Though they are now considered [[vestigial]], it is possible that wisdom teeth were useful when it was common for humans to lose several teeth to [[tooth decay|decay]] by the age when they appear.<ref name="umanitoba"/> Most people have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have more or fewer. Absence of one or more wisdom teeth is an example of [[hypodontia]]. Any extra teeth are referred to as [[supernumerary teeth]].<ref name="cda">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-65/issue-11/612.pdf|title=Supernumerary Teeth &mdash; An Overview of Classification, Diagnosis and Management|accessdate=2006-11-30|publisher=Journal of the Canadian Dental Association|year=1999|author=M. Thérèse Garvey; Hugh J. Barry; and Marielle Blake|work=Journal of the Canadian Dental Association|format=pdf}}</ref><ref name="wsoctv">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsoctv.com/health/3034496/detail.html|title=Tooth Development &mdash; Wisdom Teeth|accessdate=2006-11-30|publisher=WSOC|author=Medstar|format=html}}</ref>