You may find new wisdom (in the form of extra back molar) teeth coming through at about age 16 to 25 years. The problem is that you might not have enough room in your mouth for these teeth to grow into the normal position, which may result in discomfort and your teeth to begin crowding.

While wisdom teeth grow:

• A teething gel can relieve pain.
• A mouth rinse (chlorhexidine) may also assist in keeping the area free from bacteria and infection.

For many, the only cure is to remove them, which may be carried out by either your dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon. This can be simple or complicated depending on the site and the tooth's proximity to the underlying nerve.

1. Impacted wisdom tooth of the lower jaw (mandible)
2. Possible site of future decay. Impacted wisdom tooth may also cause discomfort/pain and crowding of the surrounding teeth, as the body attempts to make room for the new tooth.

Digital x-ray image of an impacted wisdom tooth and indicates the possible site of future decay.

1. Wisdom tooth is impacting on the second molar, as a result the two teeth will require extraction
2. Second molar tooth requiring extraction due to decay caused by impacted wisdom tooth

OPG image illustrating the devastation of impacted wisdom teeth.
This patient required four teeth to be extracted (2 x wisdom teeth and 2 x second molar teeth) due to impaction of wisdom teeth and resulting extensive decay.

1. Second molar with severe decay
2. Opening caused by eruption of wisdom tooth

Photograph of a patient's mandibular (lower jaw) second molar, with severe decay caused by an impacted wisdom tooth.
All four molars appeared similar clinically, and subsequently all four molars were extracted.