If taking out wisdom teeth is advisable, why isn't also taking out your appendix to prevent problems?

Question

I was thinking of how it is recommended today a lot it seems that people take out their wisdom teeth before complications arise to prevent possible future problems, so I was wondering why isn't the same advisable of taking out your appendix if it can spontaneously burst? Are we supposed to wait for the day that it becomes a threat before we take an appendix out, or is a problem like that so unlikely compared to problems with wisdom teeth that we don't bother as much with it?

Answer 1

For a few reasons. The cost of the procedure to have the appendix removed is far greater than having your wisdom teeth removed. Also, there's more chance of complications (infections, anesthesia problems) resulting from the appendix surgery than just removing teeth. There's also a much better chance of having your wisdom teeth cause you problems, than your appendix giving you problems. Besides, some say that the appendix can play a role in the immune system, even though removing it has no ill effects.
There's more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiform_appendix

Answer 2

The reason is that an appendix removal always require general anesthesia which have some risks in itself. If the GA goes wrong, you can be left paralyzed, experience memory loss or worst, comatose. Also, once your abdomen is cracked open, your internal organs can be subjected to adhesion, which is not good also.

Wisdom tooth removal does not require opening your abdomen. It may require general anesthesia, especially if the tooth is impacted and localized anesthesia won't prevent you from experiencing the amount of pain expected when they try to dislodge it from your jaw. Although the time you are under it is probably no more than 30 minutes as opposed to an appendectiotomy which is close to an hour. The risks becomes higher.

Wisdom tooth removal is only recommended when it starts becoming a problem. I have an impacted tooth that my dentist was aware of but did not recommend removal until it started pushing my teeth off to the other side. That took 5 years, and only then did I had it removed. Pain was non-existant. My moving teeth was the issue.

Unfortunately for us, there is no advance warning for appendicitis. Only pain which is unbearable.

Answer 3

It's got to do with probability. Most people will experience problems with their wisdom teeth if they don't get them removed, due to their placement in the jaw. On the other hand, most people won't experience problems with their appendix.

The complexity of the surgery is another factor. Wisdom tooth removal is minimally invasive, and can be performed with only local anesthetic. Having your appendix removed is more invasive, and involves general anesthetic. For something that has a lower probability of medical problems, performing a more complicated surgery (where more things can potentially go wrong) is not prudent as a preventative measure.

Answer 4

Because an appendectomy is much more invasive than taking teeth out. If they did that, they would start taking out all sorts of body parts just to prevent problems, like breasts (they do that for certain high risk women, but not commonly), prostates, you name it. It's not worth the risk to take out an appendix on the outside chance that it might cause problems, most people never have a problem with it.

Answer 5

Statistically an acute appendix is rare. Wisdom teeth though, grow in at all sorts of weird angles. Some have them up in there for years and years till they start crowding others...Easier to remove one that they 'know' is going to cause problems when everything is healthy.

Opening the peritoneal cavity...every time...includes risk. Definite harsh, mean, fast, cruel, painful, deadly risk. Might be rare, but to operate to avoid...then die....not so good. Family members get all huffy and sue for malpractice for operating on a normal person for something that mostly likely will never, ever happen, ever....

Answer 6

Getting teeth pulled for prevention is a lot less complicated, less risky, and less costly than having a major operation. Many people don't get them pulled if they are not a bother. Most people getting their wisdom teeth pulled don't go under general anesthesia, that in and of itself poses many heath concerns. There are also the risks of having major surgury if you don't need it. How many people do you know that have had their appendix removed? Personally I don't know very many and you are not guarenteed that you will ever need it out.

Answer 7

There is a difference between taking out teeth from the jaw and slicing open the abdomen to take the appendix. There is a risk for complications with any procedure. The possible complications for an appendectomy are just more serious than with a dental procedure. The risks outweigh the possible benefits in this case which is why it is not done routinely.

Answer 8

I guess the appendix is a more intense operation and there's more recovery time involved. With your wisdom teeth, it's feasible to get a few numbing shots and be back at work the next day after the operation (even though that method would suck!).

Answer 9

Wisdom teeth removal can prevent teeth overcrowding and misalignment. The reasoning is two-fold: cosmetic (appearance) and dentition (ability to chew properly).

Removing the appendix to prevent some future possibility that it might become infected is too risky. You have the basic risks associated with general anaesthesia, combined with either laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Then, you are cutting into the bacteria-filled intestine, risking spilling of bacteria into the peritoneum and the blood circulation. The downside of prophylactic appendectomy is potential for serious infection and death. These risks are MARKEDLY lower for tooth removal.

Answer 10

wisdom teeth advisable appendix prevent problems