Human Molar Size Variation: Wisdom Teeth Just Don't Care?

Impacted wisdom teeth.

INTRODUCTION The incidence of impacted wisdom teeth (third molars) is high, with some 72% of Swedish people aged 20 to 30 years having at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth occur because of a lack of space, obstruction, or abnormal position. They can cause inflammatory dental disease manifested by pain and swelling of infected teeth and may destroy adjacent teeth and bone. ...

The wisdom behind third molar extractions.

The literature pertaining to the extraction of third molars is extensive. There is a large individual variation and a multitude of practitioners' beliefs and biases relating to the extraction of especially asymptomatic and pathology free third molars. With the current emphasis in dentistry being placed on clinicians to make evidence-based decisions, the routine removal of third molars has been ...

Are referred inaccessible human primary molar teeth really inaccessible?

Despite a body of compelling evidence pertaining to the root canal accessibility of primary teeth, the number of referrals for inaccessibility of primary molars is considerable. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of true and false primary molar inaccessibility among subjects who had been referred by general and pediatric dentists. We examined 199 primary molars in 156 p...

Supernumerary pre-molar teeth in the mandible.

Treatment of third molar teeth--assessment.

This first article will discuss the indications for removal of third molars and the initial assessment of the patient. The importance of good communication will be highlighted.