Many doctors suggest removing all wisdom teeth even when there are no problems, but that approach isn’t always necessary. If the wisdom teeth are healthy, erupt at the correct angle, and are fully separated from the gums, they can remain in place. This insight comes from Roman Egorov, a dentist-surgeon at Medicina JSC, who spoke with socialbites.ca about when extraction might be avoided or needed.
The first signal that a wisdom tooth may need removal appears as it begins to erupt and the surrounding gums become inflamed. When the tooth lacks enough space to grow properly in the jaw, it can grow in an abnormal position, causing malocclusion and shifting neighboring teeth. This condition is known as pericoronitis, and relieving it through tooth extraction is often recommended to restore harmony in the bite and prevent further problems.
A second reason to consider extraction is an abnormal placement of the tooth. Limited room for growth can leave the tooth stuck within the gum tissue or tilted to one side. Although it may not perform any function, it can disrupt the bite and affect the health of adjacent teeth. In such cases, removal is frequently advised to protect overall dental alignment and function.
Embedded or unerupted wisdom teeth also pose risks. These teeth might not cause immediate discomfort because they lie beneath the gum line, but they can still give rise to asymptomatic cysts that emerge from the follicle surrounding the developing tooth. Over time, cysts or tumors can grow large enough to become dangerous, so removing the tooth can prevent future complications.
Experts often recommend starting the discussion about removal at a younger age, around 14–15 years old, when the tooth has not yet erupted and the roots are not fully formed. In these cases, recovery tends to be faster and less painful.
Still, the choice to extract a wisdom tooth remains highly individual. To determine whether removal is truly necessary and when to proceed, a dentist should evaluate the health and position of the eights and discuss the best plan for the patient’s situation.
Historically, dental issues such as ARVI have been associated with oral health problems like herpes and fungal infections, underscoring the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene and regular checkups for overall oral well-being.