The Wisdom of Having That Tooth Removed

Long about the time you get done with high school and are getting ready to move into your next phase of life, you will most likely hear that it is time to get your wisdom teeth out. It's kind of like a "rite of passage" it seems. But is this really necessary to have the wisdom teeth removed?

The "third molars" become visible on an X-ray between 10 and 15 years of age and become a concern to your dentist and orthodontist just about the time you are finishing high school (around age 17). This is generally the age where the wisdom teeth begin to erupt and can cause discomfort in some patients. But why do they need to come out? I have heard that they will make the teeth crooked, is this true?

Wisdom teeth have taken a bad "rap" for causing the teeth to get crooked after the braces come off. There are several reasons why the teeth can shift but studies have shown that it is not caused by the wisdom teeth, so this is not the primary reason to have the teeth removed. There are however, other problems that can be created that give us a legitimate reason to want them removed.

The primary reason for taking out the wisdom teeth is that there is just not enough room for them. This can mean that the teeth stay in the bone or "impacted", or that they can only come in part of the way, which we call "partially impacted." Both of these scenarios can have negative side effects. If the teeth are fully impacted, there is a chance that a cyst can form around the tooth, causing damage to the bone, nerves, and the other teeth. If the tooth is partially impacted, there is a greater chance for infection and decay to occur.

The second reason to have the wisdom teeth out is that they are difficult to care for. It is hard to clean the area effectively so the chance of gum disease and cavities is greater. If decay occurs, it is difficult for the dentist to fix as well. And even if there is sufficient space for them, because of the risk of gum disease and decay, it might be suggested that you have them removed.

Keep in mind, part of the reason behind having the teeth removed around age 17 is that the teeth are still somewhat in their forming stage. The surgery is easier, both for the patient and the oral surgeon, to remove the teeth before the roots have completely formed. So if you are undecided, this might be a good reason to do it now rather than later.

Simply speaking, if there is plenty of space and they are healthy, by all means keep them.  But if there is a chance for negative side effects, it is probably in your best interest to have them taken out.