THIRD MOLARS Meaning and
Definition
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Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are the last permanent teeth to erupt in the adult dentition, typically appearing during late adolescence or early adulthood. They are called third molars as they are the third molar tooth from the midline of the mouth, following the first and second molars.
These molars are located at the back of the mouth, one on each side of the upper and lower jaw. Third molars serve as an adaptation from our ancestral diet, which required more extensive chewing of rough roots, nuts, and meats. However, due to evolutionary changes and shifts in dietary practices, these teeth have become less essential for proper chewing and biting.
The eruption of third molars can be quite variable, with some individuals experiencing normal and painless eruption, while others may encounter complications. Third molars frequently become impacted, meaning they fail to fully erupt or break through the gum line. This may be due to insufficient space or the angle at which they are growing. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various issues such as pain, swelling, infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and crowding.
In many cases, third molars that are impacted or causing problems are recommended for extraction by dental professionals. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common surgical procedure performed under local or general anesthesia. The removal of third molars is often preventive, aiming to prevent potential future complications that may arise if these teeth are left untreated.
Common Misspellings for THIRD MOLARS
- rhird molars
- fhird molars
- ghird molars
- yhird molars
- 6hird molars
- 5hird molars
- tgird molars
- tbird molars
- tnird molars
- tjird molars
- tuird molars
- tyird molars
- thurd molars
- thjrd molars
- thkrd molars
- thord molars
- th9rd molars
- th8rd molars
- thied molars
- thidd molars
Etymology of THIRD MOLARS
The word "third molars" primarily refers to the last set of molars in the human dentition, commonly known as "wisdom teeth". The etymology of the term is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
The word "molar" comes from the Latin word "mola", which means "millstone" or "grindstone". The term "molar" was used to describe these teeth due to their shape and the function of grinding food, similar to a millstone grinding grain.
The word "third" comes from the Old English word "þridda", meaning "third". It is a numerical term indicating the relative position of these molars in relation to the other molars in the mouth. "Third molars" are the last teeth to erupt, typically in late adolescence or early adulthood.
The term "wisdom teeth" is another common name for third molars.
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