The 3rd molars in each quadrant are wisdom teeth. In other words, the last tooth on the upper right, upper left, lower left and lower right.
This 3D model developed from iCat CT machine. Note the last teeth in the arch. The top wisdom tooth is #16 and the bottom wisdom tooth is #17. It is partially impacted under gums and bone.
Before extraction: Note how tooth #17 is only partially erupted. Left alone the gums around it can get sore because it is hard to keep well cleaned. This leads to cavities and gum disease.
After extraction: Tooth #17 has been removed. In order to create enough space to pull the tooth, a little bone beside and behind the tooth had to be removed as well. Note the white bone showing adjacent to the extraction socket.
