Diseases Caused by Wisdom Teeth

Abstract

Wisdom tooth is the last erupted molar, which is also the most posterior tooth of the full arch. Because of the degeneration of the human jaw, the total length of the jaw is less than the total length of the dentition. Thus, the last molar in the dentition does not have enough space to grow. Both the soft and hard tissues surrounding the wisdom tooth hinder the normal growth of the wisdom tooth. The poor access of self-cleaning of the wisdom tooth makes it easier to decay. Clinically, if the wisdom tooth is malpositioned, it may damage the surrounding tissues to various extents. Even if the wisdom tooth is embedded completely in the jaw, its crown is still loaded with a forward force, which is the force for the wisdom tooth to grow and erupt. When the position of the wisdom tooth is not normal, this force is destructive and can easily lead to changes and even diseases to the surrounding tissues.