Wisdom teeth - removal

Summary

NICE has recommended that:

• Impacted wisdom teeth that are free from disease (healthy) should not be operated on. There are two reasons for this:
• There is no reliable research to suggest that this practice benefits patients
• Patients who do have healthy wisdom teeth removed are being exposed to the risks of surgery. These can include, nerve damage, damage to other teeth, infection, bleeding, and, rarely, death. Also, after surgery to remove wisdom teeth, patients may have swelling, pain and be unable to open their mouth fully.
• Patients who have impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing problems should visit their dentist for their usual check-ups.
• Only patients who have diseased wisdom teeth, or other problems with their mouth, should have their wisdom teeth removed. Your dentist or oral surgeon will be aware of the sort of disease or condition which would require you to have surgery. Examples include untreatable tooth decay, abscesses, cysts or tumours, disease of the tissues around the tooth or where the tooth is in the way of other surgery.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• TA1 Wisdom teeth - removal: Guidance
• TA1 Wisdom teeth - removal: Guidance (html)

For patients, carers and the public

• TA1 Wisdom teeth - removal: Information for the public

Background information

• Review decision
• Initial appraisal: Hip Prostheses and Extraction of Wisdom Teeth
• NICE issues guidance to the NHS on the removal of wisdom teeth
• TA1 Wisdom teeth - removal: Questions and Answers
• Wisdom teeth assessment report

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• None found