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What are the risks of leaving asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth?
People can often obtain an OPG so their dentist can see all their teeth in one x-ray. Often this is the first time they become aware of impacted wisdom teeth, which thus far may have been hidden and asymptomatic.
When you are advised to "Leave them alone until you get a problem", you should ask "What does a problem mean" and "By removing my impacted wisdom teeth, could I potentially prevent problems from arising?" |
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An impacted wisdom teeth seen lying against the adjacent second molar tooth. Whilst unerupted & asymptomatic at this stage, are there any problems associated with leaving it alone? |
The list of problems associated with impacted wisdom teeth are listed under the following headings. Click on the area of complication that interests you.
Jaw fracture during contact sports involving wisdom teeth
Periodontitis and carious damage to forward second molar, and late orthodontic incisor crowding
Jaw cyst and tumour development from wisdom teeth
Local and more systemic infection caused by wisdom teeth
Click here to return to The Risks Of Retaining Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Click here to return to Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Click here for a brochure on the Prophylactic Removal of Wisdom Tooth & Complications
Pic of impacted wisdom teeth
Extraction of wisdom teeth is recommended when:
- Impacted i.e. There is inadequate space in the jaws to allow eruption of the wisdom teeth.
- Partially erupted wisdom teeth allows bacteria to enter the space around the wisdom teeth and can lead to pericoronitis (gum infection) or dental caries (decay) of the adjacent tooth which is then unrestorable (because of inability to access decay).
- Poorly aligned wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean and therefore prone to dental caries. This can also cause damage to adjacent teeth (causing resorption or decay of the adjacent teeth).
- A cyst (fluid-filled sac) can form around the unerupted wisdom teeth, destroying surrounding structures (jaw bone and adjacent teeth).
- Pressure pain.
- Notch defect leading to increased risk of fracture.
By choosing a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon to remove your wisdom teeth you will:
- Prevent, or reduce the risk of permanent numbness to the lower lip and chin from damage to the lower right and left inferior dental nerves (IDN) This nerve is often very close to the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. Sometimes the roots can wrap around this nerve. Therefore extreme care and expertise is required when removing the teeth to reduce risk of permanent numbness.
 
- Prevent complications that can commonly arise from wisdom tooth surgery performed by people who are not trained specialists
- Manage for bone and tissue loss to the backside surface of the second molar teeth (link to bone grafting)
Early removal of wisdom teeth before full root formation can prevent or reduce nerve damage during removal (because less likely to have roots wrapped around the nerve).
Wisdom teeth can be removed under local anaesthesia (LA), general anaesthesia (GA) or intravenous sedation (IV sedation).
Complications of wisdom teeth removal.
Link to Anaesthesia
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