If you are thinking of having your wisdom teeth removed or know someone who is,
you are strongly encouraged to explore this site to educate your self about wisdom teeth.

The truth is, some people don't need their wisdom teeth removed, even if they are impacted! However, some do need their wisdom teeth extracted particularly those wisdom teeth that are causing problems.

The information presented on this site is of personal opinion and consequently is slanted and biased and not based on proper scientific research. The information presented is NOT written by a dental expert. Further the information presented has NOT been subjected to peer review by experts to verify accuracy and data integrity.

This website is intended to educate the general public about the dangers of wisdom teeth removal along with reasons for extraction and risks associated with keeping healthy wisdom teeth.

Research published by the Cochrane Collaboration and Clinical Evidence show there is no scientific evidence to recommend for or against extracting impacted wisdom teeth in adults or adolescents if the wisdom teeth are not causing problems. A California dentist labels the unnecessary prophylactic [preventative] removal of wisdom teeth as a public health hazard.

The British National Institute for Clinical Excellence is unequivocal in its recommendation, adopted by the National Health Service: “The practice of prophylactic removal of pathology-free impacted third molars should be discontinued. . . . There is no reliable evidence to support a health benefit to patients from the prophylactic removal of pathology free impacted teeth.”

The American Public Health Association "Recommends that public education about the removal of wisdom teeth....should be based on evidence of diagnosed pathology or demonstrable need." and
"Opposes prophylactic removal of third molars, which subjects individuals and society to unnecessary costs, avoidable morbidity, and the risks of permanent injury" in addition to other opposition reasons.

An Australian dentist says "...in the 21st century, the routine removal of asymptomatic pathology- free third molars has become a dated practice that is rapidly running out of valid excuses, and it has no justification in contemporary dentistry and medicine."

The American Associaton of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) likes to use the phrase the "absence of clinical symptoms (asymptomatic) does not indicate absence of disease or pathology."

I (this website's owner) had his wisdom teeth removed in June 2006 and have had a head pounding headache 24/7 ever since! Prior to the extraction, I had just turned 20 and was as healthy as ever. This very similar story has unfortunately happened to other young adults and is not one particular isolated case! See a detailed description of my story on the about me page.

I disagree with wisdom teeth removal from a legal standpoint and feel you should educate yourself on dental malpractice to help understand more of the legal issues.

Certainly it seems for some people wisdom teeth should be extracted as problems can develop down the line by keeping them. However, in all cases surgery to extract wisdom teeth can potentially lead to complications with lasting pain and suffering.

Everyone should make a commitment to make their health a priority which most certainly includes their dental health.

Now What?

This website explores many issues surrounding wisdom teeth such as the risks of keeping healthy wisdom, the complications that can occur from the removal of wisdom teeth, reasons for extraction of wisdom teeth, the controversy surrounding wisdom teeth, along with my quest to find relief from the pain and suffering brought on by having my healthy wisdom teeth extracted. Unfortunately I never received any compensation for my injuries. This site tries to maintain a worldwide focus and draws on information from around the world.

When visiting doctors you may want to look out for a few things and you need to make sure you spend time finding a high quality doctor. There are several places online that can help you when finding a dentist or oral surgeon, the American Dental Association offers a list of dentists, if you have dental insurance you can check with your provider's website, and if you're in an emergency use a site like Emergency Dentists USA.

If you have any questions, comments, ideas, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I strongly encourage you to check out the wisdom teeth removal stories shared by others.

If you have a wisdom teeth removal story that you would like to share and have included on this site send me an email. Also I encourage you to discuss your experiences with wisdom teeth in the forum.

Wisdom teeth removal is a very important decision for anyone to make and I hope you and others become well informed about the potential risks and benefits.

The information provided on teethremoval.com is meant to help aid in the understanding that you need to be proactive in caring for your own personal health each and every day. I feel more knowledge can lead to better understanding and aid in decision making. However, you need your dentist and doctors to assume responsibility for your care. Evidence based medicine serves as the foundation of such a system so that your dentist and doctors can practice their profession and provide care to you that will yield the best results.