In other cases, a third molar can become an issue. There are several ways in which these teeth can cause problems. The most common is impaction; the jaw sometimes does not have room for the tooth, forcing it to grow at an awkward angle or erupt incompletely. This can causejaw pain, an...
In humans, a third molar is a tooth located in the very back of the mouth. Molars are designed for grinding, and most humans have 12, located at the very back of the upper and lower jaws on both sides of the mouth. The third molars erupt later in life, usually in the late teens,...
If a dentist recommends a third molar extraction, the patient should ask about the reason for the recommended extraction, and any possible alternatives. Some dentists take a more aggressive approach to prophylactic care and recommend extraction when a wait and see approach might be better, and it...