Knowledge and Perception about Wisdom Teeth among Dentists

One of the complex topics in Dentistry is the management of third molar. Appropriate treatment options include removal, partial removal (coronectomy), or retention with subsequent clinical and radiographic surveillance and hygiene maintenance. There is general agreement in the medical and dental profession that the removal of third molar teeth is always appropriate when there is evidence of pathological changes such as periodontal disease, non-restorable carious lesions, infections, cysts, tumors, and damage to adjacent teeth. There is also general agreement that third molar teeth that are completely erupted and functional, painless, free of caries, in hygienic position with a healthy periodontium, without other associated pathologic conditions, are disease-free teeth that may not require extraction but do require hygiene maintenance and periodic clinical and radiographic surveillance if retained.