When To Leave Your Wisdom Tooth Alone
You have probably heard of the virtues of extracting wisdom teeth. Well, not everyone should extract their wisdom teeth. Here are some of the cases in which you don't have to extract the teeth.
The Tooth Has Fully Erupted
One of the primary reasons for extracting a wisdom tooth is impaction. Many wisdom teeth don't fully erupt; some of their parts remain trapped under the gums. An impacted tooth may be painful, prone to damage, and doesn't help you in any way. However, if your wisdom tooth has fully erupted, you don't have to remove it since it doesn't pose any risk to you. Your dentist will examine your wisdom teeth and advise you on whether there is impaction or not.
Removal Risks Adjacent Teeth
Tooth extraction is an invasive procedure; it can damage your jawbone or even the adjacent teeth. For example, if other teeth near the wisdom tooth are crooked, any removal process risks damage to the nearby teeth. In such a case, the dentist may decide that the risk of removing the wisdom tooth far outweigh the benefits of its removal.
You Have Medical Issues
Some medical issues increase the risks of teeth extraction. For example, the dentist may be reluctant to extract your tooth if you have a heart condition, liver disease, or an impaired immune system. Such medical conditions can easily get complicated if oral bacteria slip into your bloodstream. Such an infection is a real risk during a tooth extraction. In such a case, the dentist may advise you to wait until you get your medical condition under control.
You Are Relatively Old
Tooth extraction is relatively safe, but it does have its complications just like any other invasive dental procedure. Elderly patients face more of these risks than relatively young patients. This is because the elderly tend to have medical conditions that may worsen after tooth extraction. Thus, the dentist may adopt a wait-and-see attitude with your wisdom tooth if you are relatively old.
Close Monitoring Is Possible
Lastly, you can also leave your wisdom tooth alone if you will be getting close monitoring from the dentist. This means you must have access to regular dental consultations (which means you have the means to pay for regular dental care). That way, the dentist can monitor your wisdom teeth and intervene if they notice a complication.
In short, extracting wisdom teeth has its advantages, but you don't have to extract your wisdom tooth. Let your dental care advisor assess the teeth and advise you on the best way forward.
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