Month: April 2008

I just wanted to share some thoughts on the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. They state on their website that their mission statement is ” to provide a means of self-government relating to professional standards, ethical behavior and responsibilities of its fellows and members; to contribute to the public welfare; to advance the specialty; and to support its fellows and members through education, advocacy and research.” I feel that by promoting the idea of removing healthy impacted wisdom teeth they are not living up to their mission statement. This is because of the harm it causes thousands of Americans each year when they suffer permanent nerve damage from an elective procedure, or the possibility of even death or more serious complications like a chronic 24/7 headache. Thus I feel that The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons … Read more

A recent article suggests that ongoing study “links even pain-free wisdom teeth to early gum disease that worsens over time, sometimes causing havoc far beyond the mouth. Indeed, pregnant women with gum disease around their wisdom teeth appear to be much more likely to give birth prematurely than unaffected pregnant women. The latest data suggest that as many as 80 percent of people will develop problems with their wisdom teeth.” I don’t know who came up with this but I don’t think it’s accurate. Most experts no longer believe that crowding is a concern, but the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons typically wrongfully recommends pre-emptive pulling in young adulthood, before symptoms arise, when roots haven’t yet fully formed and surgical risks are lowest. “If you have to have them out when you’re 45, you will not enjoy that,” … Read more