Do I Really Need to Remove my WisdomTeeth? JACQUES DOUECK, DDS

was prompted to write this article be more complicated and require If a wisdom is completely horizontal, because of two adult patients who a longer recovery period with damage to the chances of bone are so high that Isuffered severe damage, infection, and adjacent teeth, sinus, and jaw bone that we can predict with pretty good probability swelling because they delayed taking out may not be easy to repair. that in 10 or 20 years that person will have wisdom teeth .One of them actually broke If you do not have enough room in your gum and bone problems that will pose a risk his jaw because of a that mouth for your wisdom teeth, they can to other teeth. should have been removed long ago. The cause a multitude of problems, such as: A wisdom tooth that comes only part patient, 48 years old, lost both teeth and ▪ INFECTION: Without enough room way through the skin leaves a person the fractured jaw forced him to eat baby for the wisdom tooth to come in, the open to high risk of decay and infection. food for six months. The other patient was gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can A wisdom tooth is very difficult to clean, 65 years old and had to have the wisdom become irritated and infected, resulting even when it looks like it is in a good tooth and the adjacent removed. in recurrent pain, swelling and problems position, because it is far back against the Keeping your wisdom teeth past your with chewing and swallowing. upward curve of the jawbone. Sometimes twenties may not be so wise after all, ▪ DAMAGE TO ADJACENT it’s not even possible to get a toothbrush according to the results of a seven-year back there. If it is difficult to clean research study by the American Association TEETH: The longer you wait, the higher the risk around the wisdom tooth, the tooth of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of complications. There is risk of infection, directly in front of the wisdom tooth, the (AAOMS). Keeping poorly positioned some risk of jaw fracture, cavities and root second molar, can be affected, resulting wisdom teeth puts you at higher risk of canal on the adjacent teeth, gum disease in gum disease (bone loss), cavities and developing infections of the and jaw and more. Delaying wisdom tooth removal . bone. may result in many serious complications, Of course, it would be foolish for a ▪ : Cysts are fluid-filled bubbles such as numbness of your for a couple of dentist to recommend that everyone should inside the jawbone which are associated years or even for life due to nerve damage remove their wisdom teeth. We consider with and slowly when the tooth is pulled. many factors, such as proximity to the expand, destroying adjacent jawbone and So before you refuse your dentist’s cheek, whether the tooth is impacted, and occasionally adjacent teeth Although rare, advice to remove your wisdom teeth the condition of the bone, gums and teeth. certain tumors can be associated with because you feel like “it doesn’t hurt,” Once a well thought out decision is made, impacted teeth. Both of these conditions consider all the risks and potential long postponing wisdom teeth removal may can be very difficult to treat. term consequence. WISDOM TEETH FAQ Q. Do wisdom teeth cause crowding of the front teeth? Q. What is the best age to have wisdom teeth removed? A. No. A 20-year study showed that crowding occurs with or A. Usually between 16 and 18 years old. Without a doubt, without the wisdom teeth. So this is not a reason to remove your younger patients (teenagers) heal faster, in a more predictable wisdom teeth. fashion and with fewer complications than older patients.

Q. Should wisdom teeth be removed if there are no problems? Q. What if I don’t have them removed now? A. No. Removal of wisdom teeth is a surgery, and we don’t A. The problem with taking a “wait and see” approach is want to put our patients through surgery unless there is a high that if it becomes necessary to remove a wisdom tooth in your risk of damage by keeping them. X-rays and visual exam allow thirties or beyond, it is much more difficult for you as the patient us to help patients with this important decision. and the potential complications are much greater.

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