Wisdom Teeth
Conventional wisdom states that just about everyone should have their wisdom teeth either pulled, or extracted, usually by the time an individual is college aged. But is the extraction of wisdom teeth truly the best thing for everyone?
The truth is, wisdom teeth extraction, for most people, is likely necessary. However, it’s certainly not always required. Much depends on individual anatomy, and the effect wisdom teeth are having on the general health and wellness of the patient. In fact, there are even a few experts that say wisdom teeth should never be extracted at all.
How do you know if you should consider wisdom teeth extraction? At the end of the day, it’s a personal decision that should be discussed with your dentist. If you have pain, crowding, infections, or other symptoms that interfere with the structure of your mouth and jaw or cause discomfort or medical issues, wisdom teeth extraction is likely something that will be for the best.
If you choose to have your wisdom teeth extracted, it’s always better to have it done sooner rather than later. When the roots of the wisdom teeth aren’t fully developed, it makes the procedure far less complicated and invasive, and generally requires less recovery time. This is why so many young adults have their wisdom teeth extracted between the ages of 18 and 22.
If you do choose to keep your wisdom teeth, it’s “wise” to see your dentist regularly for in-depth exams that will allow issues such as tumors, cysts, or infections to be caught before they become problems requiring larger-scale interventions.
–Dr. Shannon Norman-Kotre, Ann Arbor Dentist