This protocol is designed to diagnose, evaluate and treat individuals in need of third molar ( wisdom teeth ) removal in order to obtain teeth, bone and soft tissues to be utilized in further research studies.

Each individual will undergo a thorough oral evaluation during the screening process, including a review of current and past medical histories and a limited physical examination as indicated. Other routine diagnostic procedures and tests may be performed to determine a subject's eligibility for this protocol. These tests and procedures constitute minimal risk and will be expressed in more detail in Section III, Study Procedures.

Once the evaluation process is completed and eligibility is determined, the subjects will be informed of their options for participation in this study.

If they choose not to participate in the study, recommendations of the other treatment opportunities may be given to the individual, to their primary dentist/physician, or to the referring dentist/physician.

Consenting subjects will undergo removal of one to four wisdom teeth using standard surgical procedures. The following tissues may be obtained for use in laboratory studies of NIDCR investigators: one to four wisdom teeth, small samples of oral mucosa, small biopsies of alveolar bone from the mandibular and/or the maxillary sockets that surrounded the wisdom teeth, and excess gingival tissues from the extraction sockets. All subjects will be monitored after the surgical procedures and will receive post-operative care as needed.