Wisdom teeth removal - pros and cons

[LisaR]

DD (17) went to the dentist today and came home with a referral to an oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth removed. I asked her what the dentist said the reason was for the removal and she said he didn't give one. So I called up there and spoke to the hygienist.

I asked if they were impacted and she said they weren't. I asked if they were crowding her other teeth and she said, "not really." I asked why they would need to come out since DD isn't having any pain and she said:
1. It is always best for people who had braces to have them removed so there aren't any problems when/if they do come in.
2. It is easiest to have them out when they are young.

Honestly, those seem like pretty lame reasons to have them out, but maybe I'm not thinking about this in the right way. I could take her to the oral surgeon and see what he says, but I would bet big bucks that he will say they need to come out.

Any opinions or insight into what I am missing?

Here is what Web MD says:

Your dentist may recommend removal of a wisdom tooth if it is crowding your other teeth, causes pain, or has become stuck (impacted) as it tries to emerge. Removal also may be recommended if infection has developed as a wisdom tooth is breaking through the gum.

Oral surgeons generally advise that wisdom tooth extraction is easier in younger people, when the roots and bone are softer because they are not completely developed.

You may never have any problems with your wisdom teeth. If you are older than 30 and have not had any wisdom tooth problems, you probably will not have these problems in the future. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned do not cause problems.

 

[DebbieB]

DD (17) went to the dentist today and came home with a referral to an oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth removed. I asked her what the dentist said the reason was for the removal and she said he didn't give one. So I called up there and spoke to the hygienist.

I asked if they were impacted and she said they weren't. I asked if they were crowding her other teeth and she said, "not really." I asked why they would need to come out since DD isn't having any pain and she said:
1. It is always best for people who had braces to have them removed so there aren't any problems when/if they do come in.
2. It is easiest to have them out when they are young.

Honestly, those seem like pretty lame reasons to have them out, but maybe I'm not thinking about this in the right way. I could take her to the oral surgeon and see what he says, but I would bet big bucks that he will say they need to come out.

Any opinions or insight into what I am missing?

Here is what Web MD says:

Your dentist may recommend removal of a wisdom tooth if it is crowding your other teeth, causes pain, or has become stuck (impacted) as it tries to emerge. Removal also may be recommended if infection has developed as a wisdom tooth is breaking through the gum.

Oral surgeons generally advise that wisdom tooth extraction is easier in younger people, when the roots and bone are softer because they are not completely developed.

You may never have any problems with your wisdom teeth. If you are older than 30 and have not had any wisdom tooth problems, you probably will not have these problems in the future. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned do not cause problems.

I had to have my top 2 pulled when I was in my 20's, they were not impacted. The first one I had a horrible toothache, I went to a regular dentist and he made a mess out of it trying to pull it, I ended up with stitches. When the second one had a cavity, he sent me to an oral surgeon and that was pretty easy, he pulled it 1-2-3. I still have my bottom ones. I don't think you chew with them since they are so far back so I think she might be better off getting them out before they cause trouble.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

That's tough...have they even come in yet, or are they cutting them out? They pulled EIGHT (which included my Wisdom Teeth) of my teeth before getting braces, but I got my braces late in life. I wish now they'd kept four of the teeth, because now I have gaps on the front top & bottom (I didn't think you needed to wear your retainer for life)

Can they tell by the x-rays the positioning of them?

 

[LisaR]

I had to have my top 2 pulled when I was in my 20's, they were not impacted. The first one I had a horrible toothache, I went to a regular dentist and he made a mess out of it trying to pull it, I ended up with stitches. When the second one had a cavity, he sent me to an oral surgeon and that was pretty easy, he pulled it 1-2-3. I still have my bottom ones. I don't think you chew with them since they are so far back so I think she might be better off getting them out before they cause trouble.

It just seems so strange to me to have surgery for something that *might* cause trouble. We don't have our appendix removed because it might cause trouble at some point.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I had mine out about 2 years ago - long after I had braces. My dentist pulled 4 other teeth prior to braces but didn't have any issues with the wisdom teeth so they stayed in.

My issue was that my wisdom teeth started to break off and that caused pain/infection plus broken teeth sorta hurt. So, I opted to have them removed at that point.

To be honest, the removal was not a big deal at all. I was over 30, and had it done at the dentist with some local anesthesia and a sleeping pill. Course none of mine were impacted thankfully.

My DH still has his, but they aren't causing him issues so he's leaving them be for now. He had braces, too.

 

[Poohbug]

Sorry, I say if it's not broken, don't fix it.

I had one of my wisdom teeth taken out and still have the rest. They don't bother me at all. If there is not a need to take them out, I would just leave them.

 

[FINFAN]

It is a tough call, my DS is in the same situation. He was scheduled to get his out last week but got sick/bronchitis so we had to postpone. I think the most valid reason I have to for having them removed ahead of waiting to see if they cause problems is that the recovery is supposed to be easier younger than older, complication wise. However, my DS does have crowding and he did have braces and was not good at ALL about wearing his retainer so we have seen some shifting.
That said, the girl who cuts my hair said she has only had 1 wisdom tooth removed and she had it done at 30.
Insurance is a big factor...kids are usually on it until age 22 so many get it done while they have the coverage

 

[LisaR]

That's tough...have they even come in yet, or are they cutting them out? They pulled EIGHT (which included my Wisdom Teeth) of my teeth before getting braces, but I got my braces late in life. I wish now they'd kept four of the teeth, because now I have gaps on the front top & bottom (I didn't think you needed to wear your retainer for life)

Can they tell by the x-rays the positioning of them?

I didn't ask specifically about the x-rays. I got the impression that the wisdom teeth weren't in yet.

After reading a little more tonight, I will call back Monday (they are closed on Fridays) and ask a few more questions. She didn't need any teeth pulled when she got her braces and I specifically recall the orthodontist saying she had plenty of room and no crowding issues.

 

[DebbieB]

It just seems so strange to me to have surgery for something that *might* cause trouble. We don't have our appendix removed because it might cause trouble at some point.

You may want to have a consultation with an oral surgeon to get their opinion. If they are not impacted, I would not call it "surgery".

edit - your original post said they were not impacted. If they are impacted, it's more involved. They may come through the gum on their own, she's still young.

 

[leebee]

I just had my first wisdom tooth taken out; I'll be 57 in July. My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon because the tooth had a decent sized cavity in it, and with it so far back in my mouth he just wasn't comfortable doing it himself. The extraction wasn't a big deal: some numbing gel, some novocaine, a fair amount of pulling, three stitches, and it was out. I was eating steak within the week. I still have the other three wisdom teeth, and they are fine. They all came in when I was in my 30s, without a problem. I think our society has become accustomed to the thought of having wisdom teeth out, so these days they are pulled routinely, often without any need.

 

[LisaR]

You may want to have a consultation with an oral surgeon to get their opinion. If they are not impacted, I would not call it "surgery".

edit - your original post said they were not impacted. If they are impacted, it's more involved. They may come through the gum on their own, she's still young.

That confused me, as well! I asked if they were impacted and she most definitely said NO! But later she said something about them not being in. Doesn't that mean they are impacted? I am going to ask to speak to the dentist on Monday.

 

[DebbieB]

That confused me, as well! I asked if they were impacted and she most definitely said NO! But later she said something about them not being in. Doesn't that mean they are impacted? I am going to ask to speak to the dentist on Monday.

They are in the very back, you could probably look in her mouth to see. If they are impacted, the gum would be there instead of a tooth. Or the tooth could be partially out. Good idea to discuss with the dentist.

 

[Bluestars]

My son had braces put on when he was 14. At the time, his regular dentist told us that he would eventually have to have his wisdom teeth pulled because the x-rays showed that they were not growing in straight and would be a problem.

He had all four removed last year on a Wednesday during his spring break and was back at the school on Monday with no problems. We used the same oral surgeon who pulled all four of my wisdom teeth when I was in my 20s. The surgeon gave him antibiotics to start taking the day before to prevent infection. Then he gave him an IV, which included a steroid to prevent swelling. It also had some type of twilight sleep. My son was out as soon as they started the IV. When he woke up, he thought they hadn't even started. I think the reason neither of us had and side effects was because of the precautions the surgeon took. Anyway, it was a breeze.

I don't know about your son though. If there is no good reason to do it, it's possible he won't ever need to have them taken out. It seems like they should be able to tell something from the X-Rays. Maybe you should take him to an oral surgeon for a consultation.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

That confused me, as well! I asked if they were impacted and she most definitely said NO! But later she said something about them not being in. Doesn't that mean they are impacted? I am going to ask to speak to the dentist on Monday.

Impacted and not "being in" yet isn't the same thing. Impacted is when the tooth can't come up properly. The tooth is still under the surface if they have to cut it out....but it may erupt on it's own sometime in the next 9 years and be no problem.

 

[LisaR]

Impacted and not "being in" yet isn't the same thing. Impacted is when the tooth can't come up properly. The tooth is still under the surface if they have to cut it out....but it may erupt on it's own sometime in the next 9 years and be no problem.

Thanks! I didn't know that.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thanks! I didn't know that.

No problem! That's why I asked about the x-rays...maybe they show there's not going to be enough room and want to nip it in the bud before it causes havoc with her nice straight teeth. Wisdom teeth extraction is very expensive, if you don't have good insurance....and having them cut and dug out is a lot different than having them pulled after they have came in already. It's a really hard decision! Monday will tell!

 

[Sadie22]

You really need to speak with the dentist, preferably in person with your daughter so you can all look at the x-rays (which the oral surgeon will need as well). All my childrens' x-rays showed that the wisdom teeth could not come in properly and needed to be removed. Each had all four wisdom teeth removed at one time on a Friday school holiday or over the summer, so they did not miss school.

 

[LuvinLucifer]

Mine were a piece of cake. All I remember was that I couldn't stop laughing when I woke up and the pain killers made me feel reeeeaaaly good.

 

[SeaSpray]

Both of my DSs had braces, and the orthodontist recommended that they both have their wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon after the braces came off.

Older DS didn't get his removed at that time because we were busy the summer that he graduated high school, and time got away from us, and the next thing we knew, he was starting college. 4 years later, they started coming in and causing his teeth to shift and causing a lot of pain. So, we had them removed. In retrospect, I wish we would've just had them done at the time.

When it came to younger DS, I made SURE to schedule his appt to have them removed the summer between high school and college. His teeth never shifted and he never had problems or pain.

I definitely would speak to the dentist and oral surgeon because you and your DD need to be comfortable with the decision that you make. I just wanted to share my experience with you because of the difference of having them out "early" VS waiting to see if there would be a problem or not.

As for me, I had braces and had 2 of my wisdom teeth removed when I was 18 when they caused me a lot of pain. I eventually had the other 2 removed in my 40s when they started to cause problems too.

Strangely, both of my DSs each only had 3 wisdom teeth. LOL Must've been a genetic thing or something!

 

[PirateSnowmen]

I had my wisdom teeth removed when I was 15 and it was a nightmare. I only had 3 wisdom teeth, but they were all badly impacted (they were growing in sideways). I have a small mouth and I had braces twice as a kid (to fix different issues), as well as a palate expander. So, even if my wisdom teeth were growing in properly, there definitely would not have been any room for them. I had them out because they were causing me A LOT of pain and they were causing my teeth to shift. The surgery to get them out took 2 hours and I was completely knocked out. I was in a lot of pain after the surgery, and one of the "holes" ended up getting infected (no dry socket, thank goodness). It took a good 3 weeks before I was feeling good and pain-free again. In the end my teeth did end up shifting, and after 2 rounds at the ortho (getting retainers to shift my teeth back), my teeth are still not back to where they were pre-wisdom teeth removal. To get them back to being all the way straight, I'll likely need braces again

That being said, I'd only get it done if they are causing problems. Even if they look like they may cause problems in the future, you never know what will happen and they may never end up causing problems.