My lower wisdom teeth have been removed 10 years ago, but i still have my lower ones. will this cause a problem? #nqlu my dentist says the upper teeth are superflous now since i don't have anything to mash them against when chewing and i should take them

Dr. : Dr. Mcleod and i agree. The "antagonists" of the teeth that were extracted will slowly supererupt, which will change their relationship with the adjacent teeth. This may allow food and bacteria to get trapped causing periodontal problems and cavities on the other teeth.

Recent : Recent research has validated the removal of wisdom teeth (third molars) that cannot erupt into a functional and cleansable position in the mouth. There are multitude of diseases that can and do develop over time (decay, infection, cysts, tumors, jaw fracture) that justifiy the removal of these teeth in the late teens and early twenties. After the age of 40 third molars are usually dealt with only when they become involved with a disease process or are symptomatic as the recovery may be more difficult for the patient and certain other disease processes preclude surgery (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease). That being said i removed a third molar in an 87 year old last week that was the cause of an infection. If you elect not to remove these third molars you should be evaluated by a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon at least every five years to ensure that some pathology has not developed around the teeth. This exam will usually involve taking a specialized x-ray, called a panorex, so that the teeth and surrounding bone and structures can be evaluated. Many disease processes involving unerupted third molars do not manifest as symptoms you would recognize early (pain or swelling). By the time you experience these symptoms the disease process may be involved. The american association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons has a very informative section of their web site (www.Aaoms.Org) that provides an excellent discussion of wisdom teeth and their management. Look under "conditions and treatment" on the right side for "wisdom teeth" have your general dentist recommend a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in your area that can examine you and provide an explaination of your options for both surgery and anesthesia. American association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Here : Here is the skinny on this situation. Teeth naturally erupt into the mouth to meet their opposing tooth in the opposite jaw. What stop a tooth from erupting is an obstruction like another tooth in the angle of eruption is not straight up out of the jaw, but into and adjacent tooth. This is called an impaction. If the crowns of your lower wisdom teeth are in the mouth, and they do not come into contact with an opposite tooth the will slowly continue to grow out of the jaw and cause interferences when you move the jaw or pain when they hit the gum tissue above. Unless they are already biting against an opposing tooth you are probably best advised to eventually have them removed. Ask you dentist to explain your treatment options. You will need x-rays. Dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.