Many things can affect your orthodontic treatment, such as forgetting to wear your retainer or skipping steps in your treatment. But what about wisdom teeth? Can they affect your braces?
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Also known as “third molars,” wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to erupt. They can appear early in your teens but may also show up in your early twenties. Some of them will not appear at all and will remain impacted, or trapped, in the jawbone and gums. This usually occurs because of a lack of room, which is probably also why you are in need of orthodontic treatment!
Wisdom Teeth and Braces
Having your wisdom teeth removed is very common. By the time you reach your late teens, your jawbone is almost done growing. This usually means that your wisdom teeth run out of room. They make room for themselves by growing wherever they can, either above or below your gums. They can even grow sideways! This is when you might start to worry that your orthodontic treatment will be ruined because of your wisdom teeth.
The majority of orthodontic patients typically have their braces applied in their early teens, before their wisdom teeth have had a chance to erupt. For people who wait until later in life to get braces, an orthodontist may recommend having wisdom teeth extracted before beginning treatment. If you are one of the patients who has braces before your wisdom teeth have become a consideration, your orthodontist will probably want to check in with you after treatment. Your orthodontist may order X-rays to see if your wisdom teeth have made any progress in development. If they are beginning to come in after your braces have been removed, it may be necessary to pull the teeth to prevent any chances of your newly straightened teeth from shifting position.
Ultimately, your orthodontist will be able to make the appropriate decisions during your treatment plan. If you have any concerns about these issues, please contact us today at Carter Orthodontics to discuss how wisdom teeth might affect your treatment.
