U.S Dental ( also known as Tufts Dental )
Dr.Gina Sohn - Tufts Graduate
U.S. Dentist in Seoul / Licensed in MA, CT, NJ
http://www.tuftsdental.net
Tel 02-553-7512 / Overseas 822-553-7512
Wisdom teeth: what is the optimal age for removal, and should all wisdom teeth be removed?
1.What is the optimal age for surgery?
The NIH study found that the lowest morbidity was associated with third molar removal in patients aged 15 to 25 or when the roots are two-thirds formed. Reasons for this included: more favorable root form, greater distance to the inferior alveolar nerve, softer/more pliable bone, and more rapid healing.
2.Should all third molars be removed?
The easy answer is "no."
There are, however, many indications for third molar extraction, possibly too many to list in this short piece.
• Symptomatic teeth, including third molars with acute or chronic issues, including dental caries, pericoronitis, odontogenic abscess, etc.
• Any impacted tooth with associated pathology is indicated for extraction, and would include cyst and tumors. If pathology is suspected, a biopsy of the associated tissue should be planned.
• Periodontal compromise of adjacent teeth.
• If orthognathic surgery is planned-specifically a bilateral sagittal-split osteotomy-removal of the third molars should be planned for a more predictable surgical outcome.
• Second molars that have failed to erupt often have the developing third molars just distal to them. Once this is recognized, the second molars are effectively "pinned" into place. Extraction of the third molars often allows these teeth to erupt.
• Arch length deficiency.
• There are many special cases when third molar extractions are indicated, including fractures, complex medical issues, or behavioral issues.
