Wisdom tooth removal has been considered by the Department of Health to be a public health hazard. Post-surgery, a myriad of complications can ensue such as pain, swelling and dry socket. More severe complications can also follow, such as hemorrhage, soft-tissue infection, injury to the temporomandibular joint, malaise, periodontal damage, temporary or permanent paresthesia, a fracture of adjacent teeth or the mandible, anesthetic complications, or trigeminal neuralgia. There isn’t any evidence that justifies the medical necessity of the extraction of these third-molars. This is a multi-billion-dollar industry that creates a substantial amount of income for dental professionals.
If you’ve had any of the above injuries, please call my office for a free consultation. Third-molar surgery is an area where a distortion of facts exists, and we would like to help you make sense of what you are experiencing. For example, a common myth is that third molars have a high likelihood of becoming infected, but no more than 12% of impacted teeth have symptoms related to an infection, according to a chart from AM J Public Health. This popular practice of preventative third-molar extractions is typically considered to be the standard of care, but that standard doesn’t take into consideration all of the potential consequences, costs and risks.
