Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth (upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right). These are the third and final set of molars that typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25
. However, the number of wisdom teeth can vary significantly among individuals due to genetic and evolutionary factors. Some people may have fewer than four wisdom teeth, or none at all, which is relatively common. About 20-30% of people may have no wisdom teeth, and over 20% may be missing one or more
. On the other hand, a rare few have more than four wisdom teeth, a condition known as supernumerary teeth or hyperdontia. In very rare cases, individuals can have up to eight or even more wisdom teeth, though this is uncommon and occurs in roughly 1-2% of the population
. In summary:
- Typical number: 4 wisdom teeth (one in each quadrant)
- Fewer than 4 or none: common due to genetics and evolution
- More than 4: rare, sometimes up to 8 or more in exceptional cases
This variation influences oral health, with wisdom teeth sometimes causing crowding, impaction, or infection, leading to common extraction procedures
