Wisdom teeth to pull or not

[toothy123]

Hi there

I have a healthy 17 yo child. The dentist said go to oral surgeon for wisdom tooth evaluation.
The oral surgeon says have all four removed. I know removing wisdom teeth is rather common practice in the US for prevention.
There is no pain or ongoing issues with the teeth.

The oral surgeon treatment plan says each tooth is "impacted - partial bony" and no nerve involvement.
I can see from the X-ray one likely needs removal due to being sideways.

My questions are what are the cons of having all 4 removed? I have read about loss of bone and other issues (other than just surgical complications).

Thanks

 

[MattKW]

1. Yes, get them all out while young. So much easier to perform the op, and much better healing in a young person.
2. The lower wisdoms in your OPG are the most worrisome. Tooth 48 is likely to develop occasional pericoronitis, and possibly occlusal decay. Tooth 38 provides a plaque trap against the root of 37 - this very often leads to decay of the 37. Treating decay of the 37 is quite hopeless, so when patients eventually come in with pain due this problem, I have to extract the 38 AND the 37.
3. Bone loss after extraction of wisdom teeth in young people is insignificant. However, it will happen in older people who leave it till problems surface..

See attached image (FDI numbering).
See attached article with highlights, esp p6 and p7

 

[toothy123]

Hi MattKW

Thanks for responding. I have decided to have all 4 done. I did some further reading and your response helps to solidify my decision.

Thanks again