It has become known why a healthy wisdom tooth should be removed

American oral and maxillofacial surgeon Lee Kojanis revealed an unexpected truth: even a perfectly healthy wisdom tooth can end up on the surgical table. As it turns out, doctors frequently make the decision to extract as a preventive measure — to avoid serious dental problems in the future.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to Yahoo, the specialist explained that during a patient examination, not only the current condition of the tooth is assessed, but also the risks of potential complications down the line. The fact is that wisdom teeth are located in the very back of the oral cavity, making their thorough cleaning extremely difficult. This is precisely why they so often become a hotbed of various diseases.

Kojanis listed the absolute indications for extraction: cavities, cyst formation, inflammatory processes, as well as cases where a wisdom tooth threatens the integrity of neighboring teeth, sinuses, or nerve canals.

In addition, the surgeon explained why wisdom teeth have essentially become a vestigial organ. In the distant past, humans had to cope with tough and fibrous food, and the extra molars played a crucial role. But with the mastery of fire, the development of cooking, and the transition to softer foods, the strain on the jaw decreased dramatically. Evolution did its work — the modern human jaw has become noticeably smaller, and there simply isn't enough room left for wisdom teeth to fully emerge.