Wisdom teeth cause more problems than any other tooth in the mouth. They will either partially break the gum tissue and grow in crooked or remain underneath the gum. In nine out of ten people, at least one tooth remains underneath the gum - referred to as an impacted tooth, causing symptoms of future problems of varying degrees. "Even if you have no symptoms now, headaches, earaches, pain in the face, neck, throat and upper and lower teeth can occur if impacted wisdom teeth are not removed." The most common reasons for removing them are: Decay Saliva, bacteria and food particles can collect around an impacted wisdom tooth, causing it, or the next tooth to decay. It is very difficult to remove such decay. Pain and infection will usually follow. Gum Infection When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, food and bacteria collect under the gum causing a local infection. This may result in bad breath, pain, swelling and trismus (inability to open the mouth fully). The infection can spread to involve the cheek and neck. Once the initial episode occurs, each subsequent attack becomes more frequent and more severe. Pressure Pain Pain may also come from the pressure of the erupting wisdom tooth against other teeth. In some cases this pressure may cause the erosion of these teeth. Orthodontic Reasons Many younger patients have had prolonged orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth. Wisdom teeth may cause movement of teeth (particularly the front teeth) when they try to erupt and this will compromise the orthodontic result. Prosthetic Reasons Patients who are to have dentures constructed should have any wisdom tooth removed. If a wisdom tooth erupts beneath a denture it will cause severe irritation and if removed, the patient will need to have a new denture constructed as the shape of the gum will have changed. Cyst Formation A cyst (fluid filled sac) can develop from the soft tissue around an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts cause bone destruction, jaw expansion and displacement or damage to nearby teeth. The removal of the tooth and cyst is necessary to prevent further bone loss. Rarely, tumors may develop within these cysts or the jaw may fracture spontaneously if the cyst grows very large. Why Should an Impacted Wisdom Tooth be Removed if it Hasn't Caused any Trouble? Impacted wisdom teeth are almost certain to cause problems if left in place. This is particularly true of the lower wisdom teeth. Such problems may occur suddenly, and often at the most inconvenient times. When is the Best Time to Have my Wisdom Teeth Removed? It is now recommended by specialists that impacted wisdom teeth be removed between the ages of 14 and 22 years whether they are causing problems or not. Surgery is technically easier and patients recover much more quickly when they are younger. What is a relatively minor operation at 20 can become quite difficult in patients over 40. Also the risk of complications increases with age, and the healing process is slower. http://www.encinosmiledr.com/wisdom.htm

Wisdom teeth are sort of an evolutionary leftover. The early hominids had larger jaw structures than modern humans do, and thus the extra tooth was useful, especially considering that if a tooth was broken, it couldn't be replaced. However, in most people today, there just isn't enough room for an extra tooth to be added at adulthood. At best, the tooth crowds the mouth. At worst, it becomes impacted, resulting in serious inflammation and possible infection. To avoid this, dentists recommend early extraction of wisdom teeth if it looks like they won't fit.

Because dentists were taught that wisdom teeth are an evolutionary leftover, they used to pull them routinely. More and more information has come in indicating that they are usually normal and useful, so if your dentist suggests pulling yours, do some research on the net or get a second opinion before spending mucho dinero for no good reason. Good question!