Do Wisdom Teeth Really Need to be Extracted?

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth as long as they are healthy and properly positioned. However, problems often develop that require their removal. One example is when the jaw is not large enough to have room for wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or even misaligned).                                                                                                                  Wisdom teeth can also grow sideways, emerge only partially from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.

There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth. A cyst forms destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.

Your wisdom teeth may partially break through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can get trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. These are signs of infection.

Patients should ask their dentist about the health and positioning of their wisdom teeth.    Your dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send the patient to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.