Okuzeka
Dentistry vocabulary · Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Wisdom tooth

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

nounCore term

In dentistry, wisdom tooth means: The third and last molar at the back of each side of both jaws. It usually comes through between the late teens and the mid-twenties and often lacks space to erupt properly.

In Turkish: yirmi yaş dişi, üçüncü büyük azı

How it is used

The patient word; in notes dentists write third molar or use the tooth number (18, 28, 38, 48 in FDI notation). Wisdom teeth may be impacted, partly erupted or missing, and are a common reason for extraction.

Example sentences

  1. My wisdom tooth is coming through and the gum at the back really hurts.

  2. The lower wisdom tooth is impacted against the second molar.

Common collocations

  • have a wisdom tooth out
  • impacted wisdom tooth
  • wisdom tooth removal
  • lower wisdom tooth
  • molarOne of the large, wide teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food. Adults have up to twelve, including the four wisdom teeth.
  • impactedDescribes a tooth that cannot come through into its normal position because bone, gum or another tooth is in the way. Wisdom teeth and upper canines are most often affected.
  • extractionThe removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. A simple one uses forceps and elevators; a surgical one may need a cut in the gum or removal of some bone.
  • panoramic X-rayA single wide X-ray that shows both jaws, all the teeth and nearby structures such as the jaw joints and sinuses. The machine moves around the patient's head.

More terms: Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.