Definition of Tooth, wisdom

Cosmetic Dentistry Slideshow

Tooth, wisdom: One of the large molars in the very back of the jaw. The human jaw has changed in size over the course of evolution, and wisdom teeth are no longer needed, but these teeth continue to erupt in many people. If the jaw is too small to accommodate them, they may cause pain or crowd other teeth out of position. The wisdom teeth may need to be surgically removed. These teeth have been known as "dentes sapientiae" (teeth of wisdom) since the time of Hippocrates.