Leaving wisdom teeth in the mouth may cause disruptions in orthodontic work.
For many people, having wisdom teeth extracted is one of the rites of passage into adulthood. While the practice of removing wisdom teeth is routine in many cultures, the question may arise as to why teeth that naturally grow in everyone's mouths need to be removed. Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, but there are sometimes reasons for removing wisdom teeth.
Space
The primary reason for the removal of wisdom teeth is the lack of space in the mouth. Human jaws have evolved so that they are slightly shorter than they were many years ago, so there is not room for this last set of molars in many people's jaws, according to Academy of General Dentistry spokesman Eric Curtis. From X-rays, the dentist may determine that there is not enough room for wisdom teeth to break through in the mouth, or may see that wisdom teeth erupting into the mouth will cause an overcrowding problem. In either case, the dentist will likely recommend the removal of wisdom teeth.
Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth have a propensity to becoming impacted, or turned so that they do not erupt from the gums as they should. Wisdom teeth can become covered with bone or gums. This condition can remain untreated, but failing to remove impacted wisdom teeth can lead to later problems. The common problems that arise from this condition are decay and infection. If infection reaches the blood system, it can cause serious problems.
Cleaning
Since wisdom teeth are so far back in the jaw, they are difficult to reach and nearly impossible for most people to see. Because of this, they do not get cleaned and flossed as well as other teeth do, and are at higher risk for decay and gum disease. Removing the teeth eliminates this risk.
Orthodontic Work
Many times wisdom teeth slow, disrupt or disturb orthodontic work. When wisdom teeth push through the gum or become impacted, they change the shape and fit of the teeth in the mouth, causing retainers not to fit and teeth to become misaligned. To prevent disturbing the orthodontic work that is usually completed before wisdom teeth appear between 17 and 25, dentists may remove the teeth.
