Tooth 48, the last ‘wisdom’ tooth, often causes a lot of trouble. Do you truly understand it? Its position, impact on oral health, how to deal with impacted or misaligned Tooth 48…? Join My Auris Dental Clinic to learn more details and get advice for optimal solutions for this troublesome ‘little friend’.
What is Tooth 48?
Tooth 8 – also known as a wisdom tooth – is probably quite familiar to many people. However, not everyone clearly understands Tooth 48, a concept in dentistry that often causes confusion.
Tooth 48 is a specific term used to refer to the lower right wisdom tooth, numbered according to the dental arch division system in dentistry. When dentists identify tooth positions, they divide the mouth into 4 quadrants, numbered 1 to 4 clockwise starting from the upper right quadrant. Thus, Tooth 48 is located in quadrant 4, being the 8th tooth – the last tooth – in the lower right area.
Like other wisdom teeth, Tooth 48 usually begins to erupt between the ages of 17-25, when the jawbone system has fully developed. However, because it erupts last and there isn’t much space left in the dental arch, wisdom teeth – especially Tooth 48 – are very prone to misalignment, impaction, causing pain and complications if not monitored closely.
Symptoms of Tooth 48 (Wisdom Tooth) Eruption
Tooth 48, also known as a wisdom tooth, is the last tooth to erupt in the dental arch, typically appearing when the jawbone has fully developed. Therefore, the eruption of Tooth 8 is unlike other teeth and can cause many unusual symptoms. Below are common symptoms of Tooth 8 eruption that you should be aware of:
Pain in the inner jawbone
When wisdom teeth erupt, there is often insufficient space in the dental arch, leading to teeth crowding and pushing against adjacent teeth. This causes jawbone pain, especially in the innermost area. Additionally, the gum tissue around Tooth 48 is often firm, making it difficult for the tooth to emerge, resulting in prolonged pain.
Swollen, red gums and pericoronitis (gum flap over wisdom tooth)
The process of wisdom tooth eruption causes the gum tissue to stretch to allow the tooth to emerge, leading to irritation, red and swollen gums, and pain. Many cases also experience pericoronitis, where a flap of gum tissue covers the erupting wisdom tooth, making eruption even more difficult and prone to inflammation if not promptly treated.
Mild fever due to body’s reaction to pain
Some sensitive individuals may experience a mild fever when Tooth 48 erupts. This is a natural reaction as the body responds to the pain and inflammation from the tooth eruption process.
Difficulty moving the jaw, heavy sensation
Before Tooth 8 fully erupts, the jaw often feels tense and swollen, making it difficult to open the mouth and move the jaw. Many also experience difficulty eating or speaking due to pain and jaw muscle stiffness.
Does Extracting Tooth 48 Affect Oral Health?
Tooth 48 (also known as the lower right wisdom tooth or Tooth 8) is the last tooth to erupt in the dental arch. Since it does not directly participate in chewing function, extracting Tooth 8 usually does not significantly affect your chewing ability. In fact, in many cases, removing this tooth brings clear benefits by helping to prevent dangerous wisdom tooth complications such as: misalignment, impaction, growing into the root of Tooth 7, causing gum inflammation, pain, jawbone resorption, or even leading to premature tooth loss.
However, not all cases require extraction. A specialist dentist will need to take X-rays and perform a thorough examination before making a recommendation. If the wisdom tooth erupts straight, causes no inflammation, or does not affect the bite, it may be kept. Especially in orthodontic cases, Tooth 8 can be utilized to replace a missing tooth by attaching braces, helping to naturally shape a healthy dental arch without the need for prosthetic teeth.
If Tooth 48 shows signs of impaction, misalignment, growing into Tooth 7, or causing symptoms such as inflammation, persistent pain, affecting the bite, or leading to jawbone resorption, then tooth extraction is necessary to protect long-term oral structure.
When deciding on tooth extraction, you should choose a reputable dental clinic with a highly qualified team of dentists and modern equipment to ensure the Tooth 8 extraction process is safe, painless, and minimizes post-extraction complications.
Is Tooth 48 Extraction Painful?
This is a common concern alongside the question of the effects of Tooth 48 extraction. Wisdom tooth extraction, especially Tooth 8, if performed by an experienced and highly skilled dentist, will be quick, gentle, and minimize pain.
The Tooth 48 extraction procedure typically involves local anesthesia, helping you feel comfortable throughout the process. Therefore, most patients do not experience pain or discomfort during wisdom tooth extraction. However, after the anesthesia wears off, sensitive individuals may experience mild soreness. In this case, the dentist may prescribe additional local anesthetic or pain medication to ensure your comfort.
Furthermore, Piezoelectric ultrasonic wisdom tooth extraction technology is increasingly being widely applied. This method helps minimize invasiveness, shortens the Tooth 48 extraction time, and reduces post-operative pain. As a result, the Tooth 8 extraction process is no longer a concern regarding pain or adverse health effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between Tooth 38 and Tooth 48?
As adults, each person has a total of 32 teeth, including 28 regularly erupted teeth and 4 wisdom teeth evenly distributed between the upper and lower jaws. In dentistry, dentists use tooth numbering to precisely distinguish each tooth in the dental arch.
Tooth 38 is the wisdom tooth located on the lower left side of the jaw (mandibular tooth), identified clockwise as the 3rd position in the dental arch, and also the last tooth, thus numbered 38.
Conversely, Tooth 48 is the wisdom tooth on the lower right side of the jaw, located at the 4th position clockwise in the dental arch, and is also the deepest tooth in the jaw, hence called Tooth 48.
Should Pregnant Women Extract Wisdom Teeth 38 and 48?
During pregnancy, pregnant women are advised against extracting wisdom teeth, especially Tooth 38 and Tooth 48. The reason is that during pregnancy, calcium levels in the body change significantly, negatively impacting the healing process after tooth extraction. Furthermore, wisdom tooth extraction is a complex procedure with potential risks of inflammation, prolonged bleeding, and systemic health effects, which could specifically harm the fetus.
During treatment, expectant mothers are often restricted from using many necessary medications such as pain relievers, anticoagulants, or antibiotics due to concerns about adverse effects on the unborn baby. Therefore, if a wisdom tooth causes pain or complications during pregnancy, the pregnant woman should consult a specialist for a safe treatment plan, avoiding self-medication or intervention.
At What Age Should Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?
According to dentists, the ideal age for wisdom tooth extraction is between 18 and 25 years old. At this age, the wisdom tooth roots are nearly fully developed but not yet too rigid, making the extraction procedure easier and less prone to complications. For individuals over 35, the jawbone has hardened, leading to a more complex extraction process, which can result in prolonged pain, slower healing, and impact daily activities.
Is Not Having Wisdom Teeth Dangerous?
Many adults never have wisdom teeth erupt, which is a normal phenomenon. Statistics show that about 20–30% of the population never develops wisdom teeth. This does not affect chewing ability as the remaining 28 teeth still perform their functions well. Therefore, if you do not see any signs of wisdom teeth erupting, there is no need to worry excessively.
The two teeth, 38 and 48, often erupt during adulthood and are primary causes of wisdom tooth pain. When wisdom teeth erupt misaligned, they can crowd adjacent teeth, leading to gingivitis, tooth decay, or even infection.
If you experience sensitivity or pain in the back of your jaw, promptly visit a reputable facility for a dental X-ray. This helps the dentist determine the eruption direction and condition of the wisdom teeth, thereby making appropriate recommendations for wisdom tooth extraction to prevent future complications.
