This is a classic question that many parents of teenage children, or the boys themselves, sooner or later arise, especially if the appearance of wisdom teeth is problematic or accompanied by pain or inflammatory processes in the gum. As known, wisdom teeth are the last molars, more precisely the third molar; two are placed on the upper maxillary arch and the other two on the lower mandibular arch.
These teeth usually appear at an age between 16 and 25 years (the “eldest age”), completing in all respects the permanent dentition. Sometimes one or more wisdom teeth may remain inside the bone and the gum, without coming out or coming out only partially. This may be due to the unique shape of the bones or the incorrect inclination of the tooth.
In these cases, inflammatory processes can also occur, even necessary, accompanied by severe pain. Sometimes it may be required to extract the tooth, an intervention that must be carefully evaluated considering several factors. We try to clarify this issue by answering the most frequently asked questions.
DO WISDOM TEETH ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REMOVED?
No, despite some popular beliefs and false myths say the opposite, there is nothing inherently harmful in the wisdom teeth: within the permanent dentition, they are of equal importance compared to the other teeth. Do not the wisdom teeth that have not entirely escaped have to be extracted? Although it may surprise you, the answer is no, not all wisdom teeth that have not leaked must necessarily be removed.
Some people have spent their complete lives with one or even all wisdom teeth that have not leaked, without presenting any symptoms or complications. The wisdom teeth removal cost changes if problems occur: in this case, it is the dentist who, based on his knowledge and experience, assesses whether or not to proceed with tooth removal.
On what considerations does the dentist base his decision? One of the factors on which the dentist bases his judgment is the degree of retention of the tooth. If the tooth is completely retained, there are usually no complications or specific symptoms, and therefore there is no need to intervene.
Finally, in the case of teeth erupted in the arch, the functionality and cleaning capacity of the tooth must be evaluated. If the antagonist’s tooth is absent, it may be useful to remove it as it is not functional. In fact, the teeth work in pairs and if the antagonist is missing it could extrude and lengthen causing essential problems. Moreover, if it is in a complicated position and the mouth is small, it can be difficult to clean with the risk of developing problems.
CAN THE EXTRACTION OF A WISDOM TOOTH DAMAGE ADJACENT TEETH OR CAUSE COMPLICATIONS?
In some cases, the removal of a completely enclosed tooth may lead to complications. For example, the lower wisdom teeth are placed near the mandibular nerve, the accidental injury of which can cause temporary or permanent paralysis of the lip. Also, the bone lining of the second molar or the bone itself of the mandible may undergo small changes or fractures during the removal of the wisdom tooth by wisdom teeth removal dentist. These are borderline cases, which generally do not occur, but it is right that the patient is aware of the potential risks.