You’ve heard of your friends and family getting their wisdom teeth removed, and while it might seem like a common rite of passage, there are specific reasons and situations when the procedure becomes necessary. How can you tell if and when you need to get your own wisdom teeth removed? This article will demystify the reasons and timing for wisdom teeth removal to prepare you for that eventual possibility.
Why do you need to remove wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to grow in as adult teeth. Depending on your natural alignment and previous orthodontic treatments, the eruption of wisdom teeth could lead to complications down the road. Dentists often recommend wisdom teeth removal as a preventative measure or if their patients are already experiencing problems. Some common problems include:
- Overcrowding: When wisdom teeth push other teeth out of the way as they grow in, this can cause overcrowding and misalignment. There is even a chance of damaging the nearby teeth or causing decay.
- Impacted teeth: Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not erupt through the gums and remain trapped below. Impaction is not always an issue, but it can sometimes cause pain, swelling, tooth decay, and inflammation.
- Cysts, abscesses, and tumors: Cysts are fluid-filled sacs, while abscesses are localized collections of pus, and tumors are abnormal masses of tissue. These problems can develop if wisdom teeth are left untreated.
- Infections: Keeping your wisdom teeth can result in recurring infections and periodontal disease, or gum disease, caused by the buildup of plaque.
To determine if your wisdom teeth should be removed, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are they causing pain or damage to your surrounding teeth or jaw?
- Do they cause other teeth to develop improperly?
- Could they interfere with any planned dental treatments in the future?
- Are you aware of the risks associated with surgery?
- Could the wisdom teeth replace any badly damaged or missing molars?
By considering the state of your teeth as well as your working knowledge about surgery and anesthesia, you can prepare for the procedure and be in a more comfortable spot to make an informed decision.
If your wisdom teeth are healthy and do not cause any issues with the rest of your teeth or your bite, you may not need to get them removed at all. Contrary to popular belief, even crooked incisors (front teeth) can remain unaffected by the growth of wisdom teeth. There are no scientifically proven benefits to removing wisdom teeth that are growing in normally.1Many people have fully erupted, healthy, and properly aligned wisdom teeth. If you’re unsure about your bite and the chances of misalignment or overcrowding, your dentist can provide a thorough assessment to show you the alignment and health of each wisdom tooth.
When should you have wisdom teeth removed?
Generally, dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth in young adulthood, between the ages of 16 and 19.2 This is the earliest period to get your wisdom teeth removed, before other issues like gum disease and cavities are likely to develop and complicate wisdom tooth extraction. In young patients, the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully formed, the surrounding bone is soft, and there is a lower chance of nerve damage. After the age of 25, there are greater risks to performing the surgery.3
As wisdom teeth develop, so do their roots. Without your noticing, the roots grow longer, and your jawbone becomes denser. After your twenties, extraction comes with complications, and post-operative recovery can take longer. The decision to remove wisdom teeth is not as simple as when you’re a teen. Sometimes, a dentist may advise that you wait to remove your wisdom teeth until you notice localized problems developing, such as a newly formed cyst or bone loss.4 Additionally, wisdom teeth removal costs after your teens may surprise you: as the surgery gets more complicated, the costs go up. Your insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid may not cover the full procedure, depending on which state you live in and whether it’s billed as a basic procedure.
It’s best to check with your dentist sooner rather than later to see whether you’ll need to remove your wisdom teeth. However, if you and your dentist have no cause for concern, you may not need to get them removed at all.
