Wisdom teeth can provide function – mostly chewing – when they erupt normally. However, they sometimes don’t come through the way they’re meant to, usually due to insufficient space in the mouth. This then means they are “impacted” or stuck. Dr Ng says that impacted wisdom teeth may pose a greater risk of infection and tooth decay due to the difficulty in cleaning around them. In rare cases, they could even pose a risk of cyst formation.
“At times, even though the wisdom tooth is not impacted, its opposing wisdom tooth may be,” she explains. “For example, the lower right wisdom tooth may be impacted but the upper right wisdom tooth may have erupted normally. When this happens, the upper right wisdom tooth may be considered to be non-functional, in that it does not contribute to chewing function, as it does not have another functional tooth to chew against.”
“In such cases, it is recommended to remove both the impacted and non-functional wisdom tooth, as it may continue to grow downwards and potentially cause trauma to the lower gums and even the lining of the cheeks, causing ulceration, pain and infection,” Dr Ng adds.
If you had no idea your wisdom teeth existed until now, take heart. It’s a good idea to consult your dentist during your six-monthly dental appointment, who would be able to advise on the presence or absence of wisdom teeth after clinical examination and dental radiographs, and recommend removing your wisdom teeth prophylactically (in the absence of any signs and symptoms) before they act up. Your dentist can also refer you to a surgeon for removal, if necessary.
