2006-11-05 15:38:12 · 5 answers · asked by shortyduapp 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Why remove a wisdom tooth?
http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/wizdk.jpg shows one reason. This is what can happen by the time you are 40 or 50 if you leave a wisdom tooth in place when it is impacted. The red arrows on the x-ray show the grey area that has decayed due to the wisdom tooth being present under the gum. The tooth shown is the exact same tooth shown in the x-ray, but turned so you can see the cavity. Food and bacteria can get down there and you can't clean it out. Eventually, it makes a cavity in the tooth next to the wisdom tooth and makes it so you have to have BOTH teeth removed.
2006-11-05 16:06:39 · answer #1 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most common reason for removal is because they are "impacted"..no room for them in a nutshell. Xrays of the teeth (full mouth) can usually determine this prior to any pain beginning.
2006-11-05 15:41:44 · answer #2 · answered by Chuck C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wisdom teeth would only need extraction if they developed decay or angled eruption towards the adjacent tooth.
2006-11-05 16:33:37 · answer #3 · answered by DOUGMC132 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WISDOM TEETH DON'T ALWAYS NEED TO BE REMOVED. IF THEY ARE IMPACTED AGAINST OTHER TEETH, INFECTED, DECAYED OR IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR THEM THEN THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED.
2006-11-05 16:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have to be removed unless they beging to hurt you or cause problems for you such as getting infected, impacted, etc. I've never had mine removed, they've never bothered me and I am just fine. If I were you I wouldn't jump the gun and get an unecessary and painful procedure, unless you absolutely had too, so if they aren't hurting you, just put it off, they may never bother you.
2006-11-05 15:47:08 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋