Things to Consider before Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Dentist Blog

Many people believe that they need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. This extra set of molars has in fact outlived its usefulness. Anthropologists believe that wisdom teeth originally developed in response to early humans' diet of roots, leaves, and nuts, substances that were quite difficult to chew.  Now, you have no practical use for your set of wisdom teeth, and they tend to cause many problems such as crowding, infection, and impaction. Even so, you should consider several factors before you have your wisdom teeth removed. 

Necessity

Every year, five million people have ten million wisdom teeth removed. One study suggests that 60% of these removals are not necessary. Often, the dentist or oral surgeon will remove all of your wisdom teeth at once, even if only one tooth is currently causing problems because removing the other three later may be more difficult. Your mouth bones harden as you age, so what is a simple extraction at age 21 could be much more difficult when you turn 30. Some experts question this preventative approach, citing the potentially dangerous use of anesthesia as an unnecessary risk for the patient. You may decide to have your wisdom teeth removed only when they cause a physical problem.  If you choose this route, you will need to have regular exams to catch developing conditions. 

Cost

The cost of having wisdom teeth removed may deter you from having the procedure done. Oral surgery that is considered medically necessary may be covered under your medical policy. If you have dental insurance, that policy may also cover some of the expense. Be sure to check both policies before you have the procedure done. Preventative extraction may not be covered under either plan. Prices vary depending on who does the procedure and whether you have local or general anesthesia. You can end up paying approximately $300 to $1400 to have all four removed minus what your insurance will pay. For many, the relief of wisdom teeth pain is well worth the price of the surgery. 

Ignoring problem wisdom teeth is never wise. You can develop a serious infection, tooth decay, and a host of other dental problems. If your wisdom teeth are not causing you any difficulties, you may choose to monitor them and hope that they never become a health issue. Wisdom teeth are unnecessary for modern man to survive, but keeping healthy ones in your mouth is a valid choice. Before you decide on extraction, discuss your options with a dentist like Dr. Peter L Drob and your insurance company and then make the best choice for your particular situation. 

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27 August 2015

The Reasons Why You Should Get A Root Canal

Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.