Is it necessary to extract your wisdom tooth if it is not causing any problems?

Doctor's Answer

Thank you for your question! This is one of the most common questions that patients ask me in my practice and i would be happy to share with you my opinions on the matter.

When you say : " doesn't cause any problems " i am assuming that you are referring to not having any pain or discomfort.

I would like to share with you that many dental problems associated with wisdom teeth can be absolutely painless in the early stages of the disease. And symptoms only occur when its too late.

Some examples of dental problems around wisdom teeth that can be painless ( in the early stages )are:

1. Dental Cysts and Tumours around buried wisdom teeth.

2. Dental Decay on wisdom teeth

3. Gum disease around the wisdom tooth

4. Impacted wisdom teeth causing root resorption of neighbouring molar teeth

5. Impacted wisdom teeth causing decay on neighbouring molar teeth

6. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially erupted with constant food trap

If you have any of these painless conditions around your wisdom teeth, your dentist may advise you to consider having your wisdom teeth removed to avoid worsening of your condition, despite not having any discomfort at the present moment. This preventive mindset may benefit patients who want to avoid dealing with the problem only when pain and discomfort starts to happen. Treatment is often more extensive and complicated if the condition is left to fester and deteriorate until pain finally occurs.

I hope you found my answer useful and i wish you all the best in finding a dentist that you can trust and have rapport with !

Kind Regards,

Dr Gerald Tan

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