4 ms·
Sad, but true: "the fact that this treatment is more readily available means U.S. patients (insured ones, anyway) who might not need it go under the knife just
by nroets 9y ago
Sad, but true: "the fact that this treatment is more readily available means U.S. patients (insured ones, anyway) who might not need it go under the knife just to be safe"
I only had to make that choice once, namely with the removal of my wisdom teeth. I'm glad I insisted on local anesthetic.
- maxxxxx 9y agoI have noticed that in the last year a few coworkers had their wisdom teeth removed despite having no problems with them. It was sold as a prophylactic thing. Is that the latest trend? One coworker got a pretty bad infection and was miserable for weeks afterwards.
- stantaylor 9y agoIt's actually a very old trend. Only recently have researchers begun to say that you should only have wisdom teeth out if they are causing problems, not prophylactically. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06consumer.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06consumer.html
- fivestar 9y agoThe problem with "dormant" wisdom teeth is that they are often misaligned and will push against the other teeth, ruining expensive orthodontic work.
- accountyaccount 9y agoIt's a lot harder to fix issues like crowding and alignment after the damage has already been done — and the pain is debilitating if you have an infection/issues due to wisdom teeth not coming in 'just right' as well. I'm on the fence about the rate we take them out, but there are solid arguments for it.
- narrowrail 9y agoNot the latest trend. My grandfather went to Univeristy of Toronto School of Dentistry in the 1920's and his opinion was always remove the wisdom teeth. People in their 20s saying they're glad they kept them will probably regret it in their 50s.