Your teen has been in braces for three years, and it has truly been a labor of love to make sure they got to all their appointments on schedule. Your bank account likely reflects that the cost of raising a child is estimated at over $200,000 over a lifetime. Kids are expensive, and so is orthodontic treatment. Now, your child’s orthodontist has recommended that his wisdom teeth be removed this summer. Your teen’s wisdom teeth are not hurting him, so why the big rush to do surgery? This article is not meant to scare you or sensationalize the risks of avoiding wisdom teeth extraction.
Should some wisdom teeth be left alone? Absolutely! Should you ignore a recommendation for wisdom teeth surgery? Absolutely not! Here is why you should definitely have a consultation with an oral surgeon if your child’s orthodontist has recommended wisdom teeth removal.
Your Orthodontist Is Not Crazy, He’s Protecting Your Investment
I know, that title sounds like a pitch, but the fact is, there are numerous reasons that wisdom teeth might be recommended for extraction, even when there are no painful symptoms associated with them. Let’s take a minute to discuss some of the proactive indications for removal of wisdom teeth.
What Happens If I Just Wait Until The Wisdom Teeth Cause Pain?
Your orthodontist is trained to identify the potential for future problems with the teeth as well as
diagnose and treat current problems. When your orthodontist recommends wisdom tooth extraction, it is typically for one of the reasons listed above. The only thing in it for the orthodontist is the satisfaction of a job well, done. He doesn’t earn any compensation for sending your child off to have their wisdom teeth removed, he honestly just wants to give you the best advice possible, and protect your investment of money, time and energy, which are all spent in straightening a teenager’s teeth. If you received a recommendation for wisdom teeth extraction, and decide to wait until symptoms develop, here are the risks you are taking:
This summer, if you received a referral from the orthodontist to have your teenager’s wisdom teeth extracted, don’t procrastinate. Find out how urgent the issue really is before you make a decision. Sometimes waiting is just fine- sometimes it is not. Go for a consultation with an oral surgeon, get facts and answers. Educate yourself on the pros and cons of wisdom teeth extraction, and make your decision based on what you learn. If this information is helpful to you, share it with a friend!