Wisdom Teeth "To Go or Stay?"- Dec. 11, 2008

By Dr. Spence
Most adults had to deal with the eruption or lack of eruption of their wisdom teeth. Frequently, dentist will recommend the surgical removal of wisdom teeth. Many people have questions concerning whether to extract their wisdom teeth or leave them in their mouths. Here are some factors that are considered when making this decision about wisdom teeth extractions.
The predominant problem with wisdom teeth is their location in the jaw. The amount of space available for eruption and the tooth’s position are major factors. Often small-framed people do not have enough room for their wisdom teeth to fully erupt. This lack of space also allows for the forming wisdom tooth bud to assume a position or angle, which does not allow for the tooth to ever completely erupt. As a person grows and matures into their middle to late teen years, the development of the wisdom teeth is approaching completion. As the teeth mature and grow, they are naturally attempting to erupt into the mouth as they were designed to do. If space, position, angle, or location will not allow for full eruption, a huge problem is created.
Often, the wisdom teeth only partially erupt allowing for bacterial invasion into the gum and bone surrounding the partially erupted tooth. This sets the stage for major inflammation and possibly a large infection to develop in the area. If allowed to go untreated, the inflammation-infection process usually comes and goes until eventually the infection spreads into the facial areas causing enormous pain and swelling. The cause of the problem is the position of the wisdom teeth, and the only permanent solution is the surgical removal of the tooth. Many people ask if taking antibiotics alone could solve the problem. While antibiotics will help the body fight the infection, it will not solve the problem itself. Besides the gum and bone infection that can occur, often the wisdom teeth sit directly against other teeth causing excess pressure that can lead to decay or erosion of the adjacent second molar. If that damage goes undetected for a long enough time, the adjacent tooth may become infected necessitating a root canal or a surgical extraction of an additional tooth.
Of utmost importance, in regards to wisdom teeth is the timing of the decision to extract. If there is a strong indication that there is a lack of space, poor position or angulation, then the younger you are, the better your chances for the best outcome. The older a person is, the more difficult the surgery, with an increased chance for a difficult recovery. Consult with your dental professional for yourself or your family member for the best guidance concerning the extraction of wisdom teeth.