Eighth teeth in each half of the dental arch are called wisdom teeth. Despite this name, they can cause many problems and difficulties. For this reason, the question of whether to remove a wisdom tooth is very relevant! In this article, we will explain in which cases removal is required and when treatment is possible.
When are “eighth” teeth removed?
Different countries treat wisdom tooth eruption differently. In the USA, “eighth” teeth are considered a “time bomb” and are removed as soon as they begin to emerge. In Russia and European countries, the aim is to preserve wisdom teeth in a healthy condition.
However, this is not always possible. There are cases when they cannot be retained.
Situations requiring removal include:
- If the wisdom tooth is erupting but there is no space for it in the dental arch. This must be done, otherwise adjacent teeth will shift and become crowded.
- If the “eighth” is positioned incorrectly in the dental arch. This will lead to misalignment and bite disorders.
- If a deep cavity is detected in the wisdom tooth. The tooth is positioned in such a way that quality treatment is impossible, so therapy is pointless.
- If the wisdom tooth pushes against the “seventh” teeth. In this position, it damages neighboring teeth. If the wisdom tooth is not removed in time, the seventh tooth will be destroyed and can only be restored with implants or prosthetics.
- If there is inflammation of the gum flap around the tooth, known as pericoronitis.
- If it injures the soft tissues inside the cheek. In this case, wisdom tooth removal will be complex.
- If the tooth has cervical or root caries. It is very difficult to treat, so dentists often see no point in saving the “eighth”.
There are many indications for removal. In the above cases, there is no point in keeping the “eighth” teeth.
When should a wisdom tooth be treated?
Despite numerous indications for wisdom tooth removal, there are situations where treatment is preferable.
Treatment is required if:
- the wisdom teeth will be used for prosthetics, for example, when the “seventh” teeth or both the “sixth” and “seventh” are missing. Often they serve as support for a fixed bridge or a partial denture;
- the “eighth” tooth is correctly positioned and has an antagonist tooth. In this case, it contributes to effective chewing.
Wisdom tooth cavities
Even if a wisdom tooth has emerged and is correctly positioned in the arch, it does not mean there will be no problems. The most common issue is cavities in the wisdom tooth. They occur more frequently than in other teeth. The causes of cavities are the same for all teeth:
- poor oral hygiene;
- specific tooth positioning. Even with proper oral care, wisdom teeth are prone to infection. They are hard to reach when brushing;
- heredity;
- high consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrates;
- food getting trapped under the gum flap, leading to infection of the hidden portion of the tooth.
In practice, if a patient has a cavity in the “eighth” tooth, dentists remove it in 80% of cases. Only 20% opt for therapy. Due to the tooth’s awkward position, the likelihood of secondary decay under a filling is very high. In addition, poor-quality treatment can allow the infection to spread deeper or even beyond the oral cavity.
So, should wisdom teeth be removed? There is no definite answer. To determine this, a dental examination is required. After a detailed check-up and evaluation of the patient’s individual oral health, the dentist will provide a recommendation.
