Whats the point of wisdom teeth.....

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#1 Post by **Septimus** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:10 pm

....if everyone just gets them ripped out?

#2 Post by **swellen** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:13 pm

Not everyone does. I still have all of mine and there's plenty of room for them... although saying that has probably guaranteed that someone will offer to rip them out at my next dentist visit!

#3 Post by **JoeMama** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:25 pm

I think that wisdom teeth were more important way way way way back in the day, before utensils and farming. Back when humans had a more "natural" diet with more chewing and less cheese. (Umm cheese.)

They're similar to your appendix, we don't use them much anymore, but they're still around.

#4 Post by **Chris** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:25 pm

They allow oral surgeons to get those Jaguars.

#5 Post by **jetxness** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:26 pm

personally i figure that in an earlier time i would have lost some teeth by the time my wisdom teeth came in and so they would have come in handy.

#6 Post by **ladygal** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:33 pm

I'm glad somebody else wonders the exact same thing. Why don't dentist like them, especially if they're not infected or bothering the patient?

I hope to keep mine as long as possible!

#7 Post by **rsprouse** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:15 pm

....if everyone just gets them ripped out?

Talk to God (or whom/whatever you may believe in)

I'm glad somebody else wonders the exact same thing. Why don't dentist like them, especially if they're not infected or bothering the patient?

I hope to keep mine as long as possible!

Many people have a very hard time cleaning them properly due to space or dexterity issues. The teeth often become decayed or trap food. Then they develop periodontal problems. If a perio problem develops it can not only put the 3rd molar at risk, but it can also compromise the health of the 2nd and even the 1st molar. I typically reccomend 3rd molar extraction to patients based on:
1. Not enough space for them to erupt properly
2. inability to clean them properly
3. inability to keep the entire area clean
4. Infection

Hope that helps,
Rory

#8 Post by **juf_84** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:33 am

Wisdom teeth are there because for most of history, there was a good chance that some adult teeth would rot and fall out, so by the time a person reached adulthood, there was room and a need for the wisdoms.

Not everyone has wisdom teeth. Neither of my parents have them. Maybe they are slowly being "evolved" out? My sister's wisdoms have come through and fit perfectly in her mouth and aren't causing any problems. She hasn't had orthodontics btw. My wisdoms attempted to come through, became impacted, and had to be removed. I didn't have the space for them. I'm very anti extractions (not that I have ever had a bad experience) but ultimately I was in pain and my wisdoms were causing too many problems, so it wasn't a difficult decision to get them out!

Hope this answers some of your questions!

Jennifer

#9 Post by **Chris** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:12 am

Wisdom teeth are there because for most of history, there was a good chance that some adult teeth would rot and fall out, so by the time a person reached adulthood, there was room and a need for the wisdoms.
Jennifer

Kind of like a "spare tire".

#10 Post by **lionfish** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 4:49 pm

Tell me about it...

#11 Post by **juf_84** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:26 pm

#12 Post by **texbrace** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:02 pm

The wisdom tooth is just the third adult molar. All catarrhine primates
(Old World Monkeys & Apes, including humans) have 3 molars. The third molar is the last one to erupt.

Im not trying to start a debate over evolution, but that is scientific reasoning.

I am lucky and don't have wisdom teeth!