Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of adult molars that typically emerge when a person is between the ages of 17 and 25. They are located in the back corners of the mouth, at the very end of each dental arch. Wisdom teeth often cause overcrowding in the mouth, leading to pain, infection, and other long-term dental problems. In most cases, wisdom teeth need to be removed in order to prevent complications. During a wisdom tooth extraction, the affected area is numbed before special instruments are used to loosen and remove the tooth from its socket, most patients opt into intravenous sedation. After removal, gauze pads and stitches may be placed in the empty space to help control bleeding and promote healing.