Studies Question Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Rites of passage for American teenagers include obtaining a driver's license, high school graduation, voting for the first time, and for many, prophylactic (preventive) extraction of their wisdom teeth. Many do not realize that there is a controversy in the dental community regarding the advisability of prophylactic wisdom tooth (third molar) extraction. Generally, dentists believe that the removal of third molars before the age of 22 prevents later disease and difficulty. Some dentists who specialize in public health opine that because only about one of eight third molars ever cause significant health problems, it does not make sense to remove them all. Information continues to evolve and will effect the future of dental treatment recommendations and patients' comfort with their own decisions.

The web site of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.aaoms.org, carries a report titled "White Paper on Third Molar Data." This thorough paper enumerates the reasons for prophylactic extraction of third molars. The authors refer to recent studies demonstrating that periodontal disease around third molars is a cause for more serious ailments including coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes, and obstetric complications. Additionally, the AAOMS asserts that retained wisdom teeth of pregnant women are likely to cause low birth weight of their offspring.

The links between periodontal disease and systemic illness and low birth weight are driving dental insurance companies to cover more frequent dental care for some individuals. Medical associations and medical insurance companies advise physicians to refer their patients for dental treatment. Linking periodontal disease to third molars would have the effect of increasing demand for third molar extraction.