Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last adult teeth to develop. They usually begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, at the very back of the upper and lower jaws. Most people have up to four wisdom teeth, although some may have fewer or none at all.

In early human evolution, wisdom teeth were useful for chewing coarse, unprocessed foods. However, modern jaws are often smaller, and there is frequently not enough space for these teeth to erupt normally. As a result, wisdom teeth commonly become impacted (trapped in the jaw or gum), only partially erupt, or grow at an angle.

Problematic wisdom teeth can lead to pain, swelling, infection of the surrounding gum (pericoronitis), tooth decay, damage to neighbouring teeth, cyst formation, and crowding. For these reasons, wisdom teeth are commonly assessed by an Oral Surgeon and may be recommended for removal, even if they are not currently causing symptoms.