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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Wisdom Tooth And Third Molars Different?

I have 28 teeth in my mouth, and WebMD said the proper amount is 32. And on the bottom left side, in the far back, there is a hole in my gums revealing another tooth. I did research and am so confused because everything I find online says something different. A lot of people refur to wisdom teeth as third molars, and a lot say they are two different things. I went to the ER because it was swollen and painful and I said to the Dr "I think my wisdom teeth are coming in" and she said "NO, its your third molars. So she is claiming they are two different things as well. I am so confused because I can't figure out whether my wisdom teeth are coming in, or if I have four molars still under the gums that shouldn't be.
Thu, 16 Oct 2014
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Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,  's  Response
Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query.
The wisdom tooth is a synonym or another name for third molar. Both the terminologies are same. The hole is because of the erupting wisdom tooth. Usually the total number of teeth present in a person will be 32, some times the wisdom teeth fails to erupt due to lack of space in the jaw bone. Some times the wisdom teeth fails to develop, at that time wisdom tooth will be absent. Consult a oral physician and take a radiograph like OPG which show the entire upper and lower jaw, where you can clearly see whether the wisdom teeth are there or not.
I hope my answer will help you, take care.
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Are Wisdom Tooth And Third Molars Different?

Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query. The wisdom tooth is a synonym or another name for third molar. Both the terminologies are same. The hole is because of the erupting wisdom tooth. Usually the total number of teeth present in a person will be 32, some times the wisdom teeth fails to erupt due to lack of space in the jaw bone. Some times the wisdom teeth fails to develop, at that time wisdom tooth will be absent. Consult a oral physician and take a radiograph like OPG which show the entire upper and lower jaw, where you can clearly see whether the wisdom teeth are there or not. I hope my answer will help you, take care.