Wednesday, July 3, 2013

At What Age Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed

This a difficult and common question.  Age is a criteria of least importance and patients should be evaluated on basis of need.  If a patient is in eminent danger of infection, cyst development, loss of adjacent teeth, TMJ problems or consist pain to the affected region, removal of the wisdom tooth should be considered.  I have encountered 12 yr old patients who exhibit more developed wisdom teeth than a 20 yr old.  Each patient is  to be evaluated on an individual basis and the proper decision is to be made accordingly.  Wisdom teeth are teeth that are typically non-functional and are usually not in occlusion.  There position in the posterior of the jaw inhibits proper hygiene and makes the m more inclined to develop caries.  This information makes it apparent that wisdom teeth erupted or impacted typically serve no function and almost always require removal.

Roger Myers DMD
Southern Georgia Oral Surgery
Hinesville and Statesboro

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