Prophylactic removal of asymptomatic third molars: a review

Mandibular and maxillary third molars are mostly consigned to 'waste bins' in dental practices because they are terminal in developmental timing and positioning in the dental arches, and regarded as functionally non-essential. Thus, many dental practitioners do not attach significance to the presence of third molars when making therapeutic recommendations to patients about preservation of the dentition. The need for taking more a serious account of third molars is reviewed in this paper.