3 ms·

All of the RCTs conclude that there is no evidence that removing unsymptomatic wisdom teeth is beneficial: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/evidence/i

All of the RCTs conclude that there is no evidence that removing unsymptomatic wisdom teeth is beneficial: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/evidence/intervention/1302/0/sr-1302-i1.html http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/evidence/intervent... Given the major surgery involved, it seems best avoided. I have had two impacted wisdom teeth for over 20 years with no problems (using good dental hygiene).

dsjoerg 11y ago
My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give. All these anecdotal comments, and only one reference to RCT. However, this link appears to be paywalled. "You have tried to access content that requires a subscription to BMJ Best Practice."
- gwern 11y ago
  I don't even get that. I get redirected to http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/verify-user-north-american-access.html http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/verify-user-north-... which just says ' Please click here to go to BMJ Best Practice US. Alternatively click here to go to the BMJ Best Practice site intended for users outside the US. '
  - cpncrunch 11y ago
    Yeah, actually I get that now as well. It seems to work fine if you google "bmj clinical evidence wisdom tooth" (without the quotes. Sorry about that...I didn't realise it was behind a half-assed paywall :)
Avshalom 11y ago
If major surgery is involved then they were almost certainly symptomatic. I had mine out at 18 because "eh might be a good idea" and my mom had dental insurance. 45 minutes and I was eating nachos the next day. Took two of the pain killers the first night just in case and none again. Which on a scale of surgery puts it slightly above "ingrown toenail".
- cpncrunch 11y ago
  Well, "major surgery" is the term used in the article, and his wisdom teeth were asymptomatic. I guess you're right, it is relatively minor surgery. However, complications can sometimes occur, and that isn't really worth the risk IMO.
  - nommm-nommm 11y ago
    The "majorness" of the surgery depends on the individual person's teeth. Mine were impacted and they had to cut through bone and remove them in pieces. So I had a long recovery time, it was a couple weeks or so before I was able to open my mouth more than a few centimeters. However some people just go to the dentist (not even oral surgeon!) and get them out under local anesthesia.

dsjoerg 11y ago

My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give. All these anecdotal comments, and only one reference to RCT. However, this link appears to be paywalled. "You have tried to access content that requires a subscription to BMJ Best Practice."

gwern 11y ago
I don't even get that. I get redirected to http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/verify-user-north-american-access.html http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/verify-user-north-... which just says ' Please click here to go to BMJ Best Practice US. Alternatively click here to go to the BMJ Best Practice site intended for users outside the US. '
- cpncrunch 11y ago
  Yeah, actually I get that now as well. It seems to work fine if you google "bmj clinical evidence wisdom tooth" (without the quotes. Sorry about that...I didn't realise it was behind a half-assed paywall :)

Avshalom 11y ago

If major surgery is involved then they were almost certainly symptomatic. I had mine out at 18 because "eh might be a good idea" and my mom had dental insurance. 45 minutes and I was eating nachos the next day. Took two of the pain killers the first night just in case and none again. Which on a scale of surgery puts it slightly above "ingrown toenail".

cpncrunch 11y ago
Well, "major surgery" is the term used in the article, and his wisdom teeth were asymptomatic. I guess you're right, it is relatively minor surgery. However, complications can sometimes occur, and that isn't really worth the risk IMO.
- nommm-nommm 11y ago
  The "majorness" of the surgery depends on the individual person's teeth. Mine were impacted and they had to cut through bone and remove them in pieces. So I had a long recovery time, it was a couple weeks or so before I was able to open my mouth more than a few centimeters. However some people just go to the dentist (not even oral surgeon!) and get them out under local anesthesia.