Keeping 3rd molars may be more harmful than thought

Oct 18, 2010

Having third molars removed during young adulthood not only improves dental and oral health but may also reduce the chance of illness later in life, according to research from American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

Even when third molars are not diseased or symptomatic when they come into the oral cavity, their position and location in the mouth makes them difficult to keep clean and supports the accumulation and spread of harmful bacteria that can lead to more serious conditions later in life, the association said. The local and systemic health implications of asymptomatic wisdom teeth are far broader than previously thought, according to the AAOMS.

Additional findings of the AAOMS research include:

An absence of symptoms does not equal the absence of disease.
80% of young adult subjects who retained previously healthy third molars had developed problems within seven years.
Extracting third molars in young adults produces less pain and shorter healing times than in older patients.
Monitoring retained third molars may be more expensive than extraction over a lifetime.
60% of patients with asymptomatic third molars prefer extraction to retention.
Retaining wisdom teeth can increase the risk for broader conditions, including preterm birth and cardiovascular disease.

"Even if wisdom teeth aren't causing any immediate problems, it's likely that people will face complications down the road," said Louis Rafetto, D.M.D., chair of the AAOMS Task Force on Third Molar Data. "The fact is, extraction is much easier in young adults, and research consistently shows that it is a simple way of improving both dental and overall health."

Despite extensive research published over the past 10 years about periodontal disease and other complications resulting from retained wisdom teeth, some healthcare providers still do not recommend this service to their patients.

"It is critical that both patients and healthcare providers fully understand how harmful retaining these wisdom teeth can be," Dr. Rafetto noted. "Inaction can have serious long-term health consequences, including increased systemic inflammation which can lead to cardiovascular disease and preterm birth."