Despite the risks associated with surgical dental procedures, an abundance of healthy, asymptomatic third molars (wisdom teeth) are extracted each year. Evidence that supports the routine prophylactic extraction of wisdom teeth is surprisingly sparse. However, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 85% of third molars ultimately require removal because of tooth crowding, decay, impaction, or pain.1 The relationship between wisdom teeth and the crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth continues to be controversial. While it seems plausible that a wisdom tooth leaning toward the second molar may initiate movement and crowding, there is little evidence that this is, in fact, the case.
* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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