Braces For Wisdom Teeth – Do We Remove Teeth?

Will you need my wisdom teeth removed for braces? In short the answer is no, it may even be beneficial to keep your wisdom teeth, as there may be risks associated with the extraction. With that being said it’s very case specific.

Wisdom teeth are teeth that we all have. Your teen years will see newcomers in the mouth. Sometimes there is not enough room for them and this can cause crowding. This is where you may need orthodontics. In this post, we’ll take you the facts on wisdom teeth and how to correct issues gained from them. Let’s get going.

Do I Need To Remove Wisdom Teeth For Braces?

The general consensus is no. Wisdom teeth should not be removed solely for the purpose of preventing movement of other teeth because you have or had braces.

Recent research has shown that wisdom tooth extractions are more likely to cause problems than we previously thought. Especially in cases where a patient still needs orthodontic treatment after their extraction surgery due to post-surgical swelling interfering with appliance attachment points on back molars (the third set from the front.) Furthermore, some dentists take an approach called “watchful waiting” which means they opt out of removing your wisdom teeth altogether. They will do this if there’s any chance at all that they won’t interfere with future treatments like dental implants once those procedures become necessary.

If you’re experiencing dental crowding, it’s more likely your wisdom teeth are not to blame. Other factors might be age, the last growth spurt of our jaw as a teen when many former braces wearers neglect their retainers at night.

As we age, general wear and tear on our tooth which may lead them to overlap or shift over time. This is also true for those who have worn braces previously but neglected wearing retainer nightly like they were supposed to.

A common reason for wisdom teeth problems could be that after achieving the fullest height, most people experience some level of shrinkage due to loss of bone density.  In cases where there is overcrowding in your mouth, this can usually be diagnosed early on before the wisdom teeth erupt and it’s time for a checkup with an orthodontist by age 7.

Why We Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth may seem like a minor issue, but they can lead to some very uncomfortable symptoms. In the worst cases, bacteria builds up around your tooth and begins eating away at nearby tissues that are essential for healthy living.

If left untreated it is possible to develop infections or abscesses in this area which will require treatment with antibiotics, painkillers, or other medications from time to time. 

Don’t let an impacted wisdom tooth get out of control. Learn more about how these problems progress so you know what to look out for when it comes to any future dental visits.

If you experience the above, your dentist might recommend a course of treatment and more enthusiastic oral hygiene before they consider removing your wisdom teeth. But if push does come to pull, rest assured that removal is an extremely common procedure and in most cases very straightforward.

Why We Have Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third molars created in humans, but they’re not always welcome. Back in our ancestors’ day wisdom teeth were necessary because a person could lose other ones from trauma or decay and have those fillers taken out by coarse and rough food. 

In today’s world, though we’ve reduced jaw sizes thanks to softer diets being available as well as improved dental care which has made tooth loss less likely than before, there isn’t room left for these extra two incisors anymore either due to shrinking jaws.

Wisdom teeth are a pain in the neck. When they come out, some of them can get stuck underneath your gums and cause issues like infections or decay to accumulate around them before you even know what’s happening. If this happens then there is no need for alarm because wisdom tooth extractions usually take about 15 minutes on average with an oral surgeon using local anesthesia which numbs just enough so that you don’t feel any discomfort. 

But if left untreated these impacted teeth could lead to complications including infection, inflammation/swelling due to bacterial growth from remnants of decaying food particles remaining within the gum tissue, bone loss (leading up towards your sinus cavity,) nerve damage leading up toward my cheek area where I would experience numbness.

Why Wisdom Teeth Don’t Make Teeth Crooked

Wisdom teeth are said to push other teeth out of their way as they erupt, causing them to move and overlap. Yet this is not the case.  Dr. Tom Southard’s research at the University of Iowa has shown that wisdom tooth growth does not exert enough pressure on other molars for dental crowding. 

As part of his study sensors were used to measure the pressures exerted by anterior molars with or without posterior third incisors present, ultimately showing there was no difference between these two conditions.

FAQ’s

Here are some common questions about wisdom teeth removal and orthodontic treatment. 

Will I need to have my wisdom teeth taken out before getting braces?

Not always. If your wisdom teeth are not making any trouble with the alignment of your teeth, you may not need to have them taken out before getting braces. However, if your orthodontist decides that your wisdom teeth are causing crowding or other problems, they may suggest that you have them taken out before starting treatment.

Can I have my wisdom teeth taken out during orthodontic treatment?

Yes, it is possible to have your wisdom teeth taken out during orthodontic treatment. However, it’s important to talk to your orthodontist before so they can change your treatment plan accordingly.

What is the recovery process like after wisdom teeth removal?

The recovery process after wisdom teeth removal can vary depending on the person and the extent of the procedure. You may have some swelling, discomfort, and difficulty eating for a few days after the procedure. Your oral surgeon or dentist will give you instructions on how to care for your mouth and manage any discomfort during the recovery period.

How will wisdom teeth removal affect my orthodontic treatment?

If your wisdom teeth are making crowding or other issues with the alignment of your teeth, their removal may be needed in order to get the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist can check your oral health and make suggestions for any needed extractions or other procedures as part of your treatment plan

Conclusion

As an orthodontist, I can tell you that the choice to take out wisdom teeth along with braces treatment is not always needed, but it depends on the individual case. Wisdom teeth that are making crowding or other problems with the alignment of teeth may need to be taken out to get the best results with braces. However, in some cases, wisdom teeth may not need to be taken out as they are not making any problems with the patient’s bite.

It is important for patients to trust the skill of their orthodontist and follow their suggestions regarding wisdom teeth extraction. As with any dental procedure, there are risks and benefits associated with wisdom teeth extraction, and these should be carefully weighed before making a choice.

Overall, the choice to take out wisdom teeth along with braces treatment is one that should be made on a case-by-case basis. As orthodontists, we aim to provide our patients with the best possible outcome for their oral health and overall well-being

Click here to schedule your appointment.

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.