The eruption age of wisdom teeth or permanent third molars is very variable, but generally ranges from 18 to 25 years. The formation of their roots ends on average around the age of 21. Sometimes people do not have one or more wisdom teeth or they do not have the opportunity to erupt normally.
To this end, it is strongly recommended, as a preventive measure, to examine the third molars around the age of 15 or 16 years using a panoramic radiograph or a 3D scan.
The dentist will evaluate the wisdom teeth according to several parameters including
- Their position;
- Their orientation and eruption path;
- The space available to properly accommodate them in the jaws;
- Tissue health and the presence of infection, cysts or other lesions
around the perimeter;
- The presence of carious lesions on the teeth themselves, or adjacent teeth;
- The presence of gum disease (periodontal) around the edges.
The dentist will then determine whether or not these teeth can be kept. If extraction is necessary, it is often safer to remove wisdom teeth between the ages of 18 and 21 when their roots have not yet fully formed.
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