What Doctors Don't Tell YouDentist disagree with each other, and even at times themselves, on the subject of wisdom teeth.
A random sample of dentists shows poor agreement on whether to remove an impacted third molar tooth that has no symptoms. While some dentists consider it more wise to leave the molar alone than risk anesthetic, pain, facial swelling and time lost from work, almost as many dentists disagree.
The small, random cross section of dentists enlisted in a study from the University of Manchester proved completely unreliable, changing their mind about the same case notes from one month to the next.
This indecision makes it even more unlikely that clinical guidelines will be introduced at any time in the near future (BMJ, 1997; 315: 1204).
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
