Action News HealthCheck Reports: January 2002

WISDOM TEETH
1/28/02

An ongoing study questions the wisdom of routinely pulling wisdom teeth... a common practice in the U.S. Oral surgeon Mansoor Madani says while impacted wisdom teeth CAN cause pain, infection and other problems- those causing no symptoms may be better left inside the jaw.

Dr. Mansoor Madani/CENTER FOR CORRECTIVE SURGERY:

"You need to ask yourself: What are the pros and cons? What am I going to benefit from extractions? What are the risks of extraction?"

Dr. Madani says he personally suffered lip numbness for two years after his wisdom teeth were pulled. Now, he's participating in a study that tracks young adults. Dr. Madani is removing two painful wisdom teeth, and leaving the other two alone. He says all young adults should be checked for potential problems before college- but not necessarily scheduled for extraction.