"Does my wisdom tooth need to be extracted?" This is perhaps one of the most frequent questions a dentist receives. Unfortunately, the answers can range from an urgent need for extraction to them never needing to be removed. In this article, I will try to examine the main cases regarding wisdom tooth extraction.
- Pathology – Wisdom teeth are statistically associated with a higher incidence of pathological cysts and even tumors. From this perspective, this is always a strong indication for removing the wisdom tooth.
- Emergencies and inflammation – The word "emergency" is very often used to rush a patient into a certain procedure, and sometimes maliciously for financial gain. From a medical point of view, however, even an acute toothache is not actually a medical emergency. A severe condition is most often inflammatory in nature and includes swelling that compromises the following vital functions: first breathing, then swallowing, and finally opening the mouth. If these symptoms are present, help must be sought as soon as possible. Complaints like a "swollen gum," "pain," and alike can be delayed and are not medical emergencies. It is precisely under this point of "emergency" that we define one of the most common indications for wisdom tooth extraction – inflammation (whether acute, chronic, or recurrent).
- Orthodontic indications – These are determined by the orthodontist. In such cases, the wisdom teeth interfere with the proper progress of orthodontic treatment.
- Tooth decay and its complications – A tooth severely destroyed by caries, having developed pulpitis and periodontitis, or simply a tooth that cannot be restored, is subject to extraction.
- Periodontal problems – Wisdom teeth can almost never be cleaned adequately. Over time, gingivitis or localized periodontitis can develop around them, which may even affect the adjacent seventh tooth.
- Improper position – Sometimes these teeth erupt in an incorrect position (for example, they may grow towards the cheek and traumatize the mucosa), which also makes them subject to extraction.
