Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

Normally you would think that we would want to keep our naturally developing body structures. So why is it that our dentists recommend us to oral and maxillofacial surgeons to have our wisdom teeth removed?

            As mentioned in the previous blog, evolution has taken its toll throughout the years. Because these teeth have become functionless due to a softer diet and the invention of eating tools, the human body stopped developing these teeth correctly. Not only did the teeth stop developing correctly, but the jaw has also shrunk. This has caused more complications and risks. There is simply not enough room for these teeth anymore.

There are many reasons to have wisdom teeth removed. Many times dentist will find that the third molars grow in on an angle of even horizontally causing damage to the adjacent teeth (sometimes requiring the removal of the affected second molars as well). Sometimes impacted third molars will develop cysts around them, which can grow bigger and eat away the bone. This will damage the bone as well as other structure in it such as nerves and vessels. Because of these reasons, it has become standard practice for the dentistry field to recommend removal.