Do wisdom teeth really need to come out, or is my dentist trying to hustle me?
The Wikipedia article on wisdom teeth cites two studies that showed there are no benefits to removing wisdom that aren’t giving you problem.
For what it’s worth: Growing up my friend’s Dad was a dentist. He claimed to put my friend through college on wisdom tooth extractions. His rationale was that while it was rarely ever REQUIRED, it was often a good idea nonetheless. Me, I’m a scaredy cat and mine are coming in, so I’ll hold off, thanks.
Get a second opinion – I’ve found dentist opinions will vary considerably. That said – if there is some reason the wisdoms are harder to clean, you need to consider that some day you might end up in excruciating pain and not have a dentist handy. Wisdom tooth extraction is pretty straightforward and easy. Get the nitrous if you can.
My lowers became impacted when I was about 18 and I had them out. That was a terrible experience, one I would not want to repeat even though I had had teeth out before. But there was no question that they had to come out. The upper ones have never given me any trouble. I am now 58, and I have been told once or twice by dentists that I ought to have them out. But they don’t bother me. Until or unless they do, they are staying right where they are and good luck to them. YMMV.
Had a wisdom tooth out this week in the chair, it took all of 15 minutes and very little pain. I’ve only got the top ones and while they hadn’t been causing me problems, the fact that they were growing unopposed meant a raised last tooth that pushed all the crap into the gap between. I think it’s worth getting a second opinion. Perhaps top ones are very different to the lower ones, but I was shocked at how quick the procedure was. I’m in AU on bog standard private health insurance and it cost me $40 fwiw.
