Wisdom teeth are an example of a vestigial structure.Some argue that recent changes to softer diets which cause less wear on the teeth may be causing the third molars to be less useful, and, in fact, problematic in many humans.[ Alternatively, it is possible that wisdom teeth were useful when it was common for humans to lose several teeth to decay by the age when they appear. Most people have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have more or fewer. Absence of one or more wisdom teeth is an example of hypodontia. Any extra teeth are referred to as supernumerary teeth."
"Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of tooth in most mammals. In many mammals they grind food; hence the Latin name mola, "millstone".
Adult humans have twelve molars, in four groups of three at the back of the mouth. The third (rearmost) molar in each group is called a wisdom tooth. It is the last tooth to appear, breaking through the surface of the gum at about the age of twenty.
The types of molars in the human mouth are the maxillary first molars, maxillary second molars, maxillary third molars, mandibular first molars, mandibular second molars, and the mandibular third molars."
2006-12-15 07:14:06
·
answer #1
·
answered by johnslat 7
·
1⤊
0⤋
Well, all wisdom teeth are molars but all molars are not wisdom teeth.
A molar is a tooth with 4 points on it that reside at the back of the mouth. Most people have two upper and two lower ones on each side. An additional set of molars at the back are nicknamed "wisdom teeth".
2006-12-15 07:13:27
·
answer #2
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
You've answered your own question. If you are having them removed, then it is obvious we do not need them.
The term "wisdom teeth" is generally thought to be called so because they appear so late—much later than the other teeth, at an age where people are supposedly wiser than as a child, when the other teeth erupt.
Wisdom teeth are third molars that usually appear between the ages of 17 and 24 (although they may appear when older, younger, or may not appear at all). They are commonly extracted when they affect other teeth—this impaction is colloquially known as "coming in sideways."
As for the "moron" who thinks you only need to massage your gums, ignorance is bliss, which I assume he to be very orgasmic.
2006-12-15 07:18:55
·
answer #3
·
answered by S H 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Those are called wisdom teeth. The ones in front of them are your molars. At one time, the human mouth was big enough for the wisdom teeth to come in and be fine. But through centuries of evolution, the mouth has changed and very few people have enough room in their mouths for those teeth.
2006-12-15 07:13:50
·
answer #4
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
The best answer I know of to explain these extra teeth, is a theory of evolution. Some believe that the extra teeth are to replace teeth that would, without the help of modern dentistry, be lost by the time the wisdom teeth come in.
2006-12-15 07:17:20
·
answer #5
·
answered by Will 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
We don't need them. For some people, they take up too much space and are hard to clean. The wisdom teeth fall under the category of molar teeth, because they have huge roots. But you can remove them before they get that big.
2006-12-15 07:12:43
·
answer #6
·
answered by Underlined name. 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
They must be much braver than I am. I had one removed with just shots and four and an extra is more than I want to consider. That's a lot of work at one time and make sure they give you codeine, not just Advil for after, you should be able to make it though the surgery OK, but later, that's gonna be a bit*ch. Make sure you have soft foods and clear soups and jello for a day or two, and plan on at least a day at home. Your jaws are gonna hurt. It takes a lot out of you and it is surgery so be considerate of yourself.
2016-03-29 08:30:19
·
answer #7
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
I've asked myself the same question. What good are teeth we don't use/need? Why did God give them to us? Maybe they're there in case you lose 4 teeth from biting something too hard, you can replace them with the molars/wisdom teeth.
jk!
Sorry, I don't have an answer, but it's a good question. Thanks for asking it. Let's see what others have to say, okay?
;)
2006-12-15 07:16:11
·
answer #8
·
answered by Shannon . 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
Well they're just different names for your teeth. The wisdom teeth come out though because there really isn't enough room in your mouth for them.
2006-12-15 07:12:16
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
SOMEPPL GET THERE WISDOM TEETH..AND SOME DONT..IF YOUR GONNA GET THEM its usually around when your 21 yr of age..i dont know why..but its true..i never got any..maybe its something that happened to our ancestors..they grew extra teeth for all the extra chewing that they must have had to do...im sure cavemen had these teeth..when you have them taken out you end up with two black eyes as well...
2006-12-15 07:14:27
·
answer #10
·
answered by free-spirit 5
·
0⤊
0⤋