Third molars are commonly called wisdom teeth. Only emerging in our late teens to early twenties, they can often become trapped or impacted (set in unusual positions – even horizontally) in the jawbone. They may even simply fail to break through the gums. These problems can cause crowding or displacement of the teeth, and lead to tooth decay, infection, and gum disease. When and even if your wisdom teeth should be removed is a topic of great debate in the dental community. At Smiles by Design, we believe if you are over 30 and the x-rays are clear of any sign of abscess, cyst formation, or decay in the tooth or adjacent teeth then the tooth should remain.