My Wisdom Teeth Aren’t Bothering Me. Why Should I Have Them Removed?

Impacted wisdom teeth can become problematic in a number of ways. They can develop cysts, tumors, infections or abscesses. They may also cause discomfort and push the other teeth out of their proper positions as they work to erupt through the gum tissue. However, impacted wisdom teeth may not immediately cause symptoms, so patients may wonder why they’re being advised to consider having them extracted.

An oral surgeon can examine a patient at a relatively young age and determine the likelihood that the wisdom teeth will become impacted. However, it’s impossible to predict when those impacted wisdom teeth will develop issues like those listed above. Unfortunately, the risks associated with those symptoms can be quite severe, especially in cases of abscesses and infections, which can access the bloodstream.

To prevent such situations from arising, patients may pursue wisdom tooth extraction even if they’re not having any problems. It’s a commonly performed outpatient procedure, although some patients may be skeptical about undergoing any surgery when they’re not experiencing any symptoms that warrant it.

In addition to reducing your risks of future issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth, patients who proceed with wisdom tooth extraction at a relatively young age tend to fare better with the procedure, which is simpler on older teens and young adults who are 25 years old or younger. If you delay wisdom teeth extraction, you may face a more complicated procedure and an extended recovery.

Even if you don’t plan to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you should still schedule an evaluation with an oral surgeon to get as much information as possible on which to base your decision. A visual examination, along with x-rays, can give you valuable details about the specific circumstances of your case.

Have you been reluctant to get your wisdom teeth removed? If so, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at Stonebriar Facial & Oral Surgery to get more information about your specific case.