To get or not to get wisdom teeth extraction? (Photo)

Question

I have 3 wisdom teeth and I'm 30. I usually am told to get them removed. Sometimes I'm told to get them all out no sometimes some. They don't bother me at all. I'm concerned about the risk of nerve damage and don't want to loose lip sensation. I was told there's a medium risk of nerve damage. What do you recommend?

Eren Pera, DDS, MSc · Answer

Deciding whether to remove wisdom teeth, especially when they aren’t causing discomfort, can be difficult. The risk of nerve damage is a legitimate concern, especially for lower wisdom teeth, as the inferior alveolar nerve runs near them. This nerve is responsible for sensation in the lower lip, chin, and teeth, and damage can result in temporary or even permanent numbness.
Here are some factors to consider:
Imaging and Risk Assessment: Before making a decision, it’s important to have a thorough evaluation, including a panoramic X-ray or a 3D cone beam CT scan. These can help determine the exact proximity of the wisdom teeth to the nerves and provide a clearer picture of the risks.
Surgeon's Expertise: If removal is recommended, choosing an experienced oral surgeon is crucial. They can minimize the risk of nerve damage by using advanced techniques tailored to your specific anatomy.
Monitoring vs. Removal: Since your wisdom teeth aren’t currently bothering you, you could opt for a "watch and wait" approach, as long as they aren’t causing damage to surrounding teeth, gum issues, or cysts. Regular monitoring by your dentist could help identify any future problems early.
Alternatives to Full Removal: In some cases, rather than full removal, partial removal (coronectomy) might be an option to avoid nerve damage. This involves removing the top part of the tooth while leaving the root intact, which reduces the risk to the nerve.
Discuss these options with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine the best course of action. If the risk of nerve damage is medium, a second opinion might also help you make a more informed decision.

Kerem Turgut Atasoy, DDS, PhD · Answer

Hello, the 20-year-old area is not visible in the photos you have uploaded. If you upload the photo so that all wisdom teeth can be seen with a current photo, I can make a more detailed evaluation on the subject.

To get or not to get wisdom teeth extraction? (Photo)

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