HAVING WISDOM TEETH removed can be like a rite of passage for young adults, even though some people don't even get wisdom teeth and others have enough room to fit the full set. But how do wisdom teeth affect orthodontic treatment?
Wisdom Teeth and Crowding?
Wisdom teeth have minimal impact on dental crowding, so they usually won't need to be removed just to improve the alignment of the other teeth. Luckily, if they do need to be extracted (whether because they're impacted and endangering the roots of neighboring teeth or there isn't enough room for them to come in), that doesn't have to interrupt orthodontic treatment.
Retainers Matter More Than Ever
Many teenagers get braces well before the age when wisdom teeth removal would be considered, and there's a persistent myth that wisdom teeth can cause a post-braces smile to become crooked again. Our teeth do naturally shift as we age, but that's not because of wisdom teeth. It IS, however, a big reason to be diligent in wearing retainers!
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Disclaimer: the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Website Powered by Sesame 24-7™
