Three’s a Crowd? Busting the Myth of the Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth)
Threes Crowd Busting Myth - Third Molars Wisdom Teeth
Ever heard of the third wheel? You know that third friend you have to be nice too, but aren’t really sure that you want him around? We all have had little nuisances in our lives. I am not saying we can’t play nice, it’s just we all have our preferences. Commonly when a third molar, or “wisdom tooth” erupts, discomfort can occur. Kind of like when a family member visits for the weekend but stays for the week. Third molars can be disruptive and raise havoc with the rest of the teeth, creating irritation to gums, damaging the roots of the second molars, and more.
It was once thought that even if the third molar was not creating problems or discomfort, it should be removed because it was a ticking time bomb that would eventually create problems. A 2012 study at the Cochrane Library entitled “Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth” challenges the notion that surgical removal of the wisdom teeth is necessary even if they are not causing problems.
What are wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth are the final set, or third molars, that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Often times there is not enough room in the back of the mouth to allow the third set of molars to grow uninhibited. If there is not enough room at the back of the mouth the wisdom teeth can irritate the gums, cause ulcers, or cause damage to the root of the second set of molars. Sometimes since there is not enough room the wisdom teeth never erupt and are impacted or only partially break through.
If you are one of the lucky ones that can get along with a third row of molars, evidence suggests you are at no more risk of future problems than any other tooth. Although if you do experience pain or other problems it is best to have these molars surgically removed. As stated in the study,
“Impacted wisdom teeth may be associated with pathological changes, such as swelling and ulceration of the gums around the wisdom teeth, damage to the roots of the second molars, decay in the second molars, gum and bone disease around the second molars and the development of cysts or tumours. General agreement exists that removal of wisdom teeth is appropriate if symptoms of pain or pathological conditions related to the wisdom teeth are present. This review found no evidence to support or refute routine prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth in adults. The only included trial provided no evidence that removal of impacted wisdom teeth has an effect on late crowding of front teeth.”
Though wisdom teeth can be seen as that irritating third wheel, if the wheel isn’t broken then it doesn’t need to be fixed.
Sources:
The Cochrane Library is a collection of six databases that contain different types of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making, and a seventh database that provides information about groups in The Cochrane Collaboration.
http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/AboutTheCochraneLibrary.html