I have one of my four wisdom teeth bother me. They are all impacted. Only one needs to be removed because of an infection. My dentist is suggesting that I get all four removed at the same time, though. I don’t know why that is necessary if the others are not infected. It almost feels like the dentist is trying to make money on three extra teeth. Unless you can tell me an important reason for extracting the other three, I will just do the one. I’m only 21 and worry I’ll need those other teeth.
Dean
Dear Dean,
I am sorry about your infected tooth. While I can understand why you feel like your dentist may be trying to take advantage of you, in reality his advice is solid.
At some point, those impacted will bother you. I would advice you to get them out now before there is a problem and they become a dental emergency. I know you’re worried that you’ll need those teeth. If it were any of the other back teeth, I would agree with you. Wisdom teeth are superfluous in this case. It will do you no harm to remove them.
In fact, you are actually at the perfect age to have them removed. Once you turn 25, the risk of complications double. Then they double again every five years or so. It is much safer for you to do the extractions at this point in your life.
If it were one of your other teeth, even a molar, then I wouldn’t extract it until it was necessary. If it needs to be extracted, then you would also need to replace it. This prevents the other teeth from shifting and tipping into the empty space. This can lead to TMJ Disorder.
This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Carl Embury.