Do You Remove Wisdom Teeth?
In this video, Dr. Gloria Stingley explains when wisdom teeth should be removed and when leaving them alone may be the better option.
We remove wisdom teeth, but not if they are coming in straight and the patient has good oral hygiene. However, if a person has straight wisdom teeth coming in and also has rampant caries (tooth decay), we may recommend removing the wisdom teeth as well, because if they cannot keep the front teeth clean, it is unlikely they can keep the back teeth clean. We also routinely remove impacted wisdom teeth that are growing at an angle, whether horizontal, mesial, angular, buccal, or lingual, meaning they are not coming in straight. These teeth can cause problems for the adjacent tooth, including resorption or what we commonly refer to as a cavity on the tooth in front of it. So yes, we do remove wisdom teeth, and we do so with pleasure.
If you or someone you love needs their wisdom teeth extracted, contact Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry for a free screening to learn how our oral surgery treatments can enhance your smile, improve your function, and restore your self-confidence.

