{"id":780,"date":"2010-09-20T17:28:48","date_gmt":"2010-09-20T23:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mynewsmile.com\/blog\/?p=780"},"modified":"2016-07-07T18:29:16","modified_gmt":"2016-07-08T01:29:16","slug":"should-i-have-wisdom-teeth-out-at-age-59","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mynewsmile.com\/blog\/should-i-have-wisdom-teeth-out-at-age-59\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I have wisdom teeth out at age 59?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Hall,<\/p>\n

I am going on 59 years of age and the dentist advised me to pull two of my wisdom teeth. The teeth are not giving me any problem and because of my age, complications appear to be a factor with the surgery. My question, since I did not have my teeth removed when I was younger, should I removed my wisdom teeth if they are not giving me any problems? I would like a second opinion or some advice that would help me to make an intelligent decision. I don’t mind having them removed if my health is at risk. On the other hand, I don’t believe pulling teeth for the sake of pulling teeth is a wise choice. Please give me your honest opinion on this matter considering my age. Also, would you give me some questions that I can ask my dentist to put the wisdom teeth surgery in some perspective. I am having serious second thoughts, because I am not thoroughly convinced. Thanks.
\n– Leon in Texas<\/p>\n

Leon,
\nIt’s hard for me to advise you on your specific situation without seeing your wisdom teeth<\/a> for myself or seeing x-rays. I can say this much. If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted and not causing you any problems, I would advise against having them out. If they are fully impacted, not bothering you, and you are 59 years old, I would also advise against having them out.<\/p>\n

If they are partially erupted, it would depend on all the circumstances.<\/p>\n

If wisdom teeth are fully impacted – they are completely under the surface, I generally recommend having them out if you are under 40. As you get older, the chances of complications increase if they are extracted, and the chances of trouble with them decrease if you leave them alone.<\/p>\n

But if they are partially erupted – partially above the surface and partially below – then there are much greater chances that they will cause problems, and the worry is that they will cause problems when you can least afford to have trouble – when there is some other health urgency that really complicates having them out.<\/p>\n

I hope this is helpful.
\nDr. Hall<\/p>\n

Links: Click here to ask Dr. Hall a question<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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