Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed Before Braces?

Your teeth can fall out of alignment for many different reasons. Some patients experience overbites because there are too many teeth and not enough space, causing them all to get crowded. Others might have pain and discomfort in their back teeth which could be indicative of wisdom teeth impact. It is important to understand whether or not your wisdom teeth are a contributing factor to your misalignment. Especially before investing in long-term orthodontic treatment. So, should wisdom teeth be removed before braces?

Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed Before Braces?

Should wisdom teeth be removed before braces? Or do the braces typically come first? Our dentist in Desert Hot Springs will answer this question to help you find a treatment plan that suits your specific oral health needs.

Wisdom Teeth and Your Smile

Your wisdom teeth are the very last set of molars to erupt from your gums. This typically happens in the teenage years. This is why they are known as “wisdom” teeth. They typically grow much later than the teeth that start to form during one’s adolescent years. Depending on how these wisdom teeth come into your mouth, they may end up causing a lot of pain and discomfort for your smile.

Wisdom teeth can push up against the gums and cause a lot of pain as they try to emerge. And if you have existing teeth already there, it can just make matters so much worse. You won’t feel much like smiling because of the discomfort and disfiguration you are going through. It is important to speak with a dentist right away if your teeth are causing you daily pain.

Wisdom Teeth Before Braces

Patients interested in braces for misalignment will first meet with the dentist to determine whether they need their wisdom teeth removed first. Several factors such as age and previous dental history can determine whether the patient should look into removing their wisdom teeth before investing in an orthodontic braces treatment. Children and teens may not enjoy the full results of their braces. Especially if their wisdom teeth will obstruct alignment later on. This is the case for many patients who had braces as a child and had their wisdom teeth removed at a later date.

This does not mean that it is an absolute necessity for you to remove your wisdom teeth before getting braces, but it may be the thing that keeps your teeth from falling back out of alignment several years after your braces treatment.

What We Recommend

For the most part, our dental experts recommend that you remove your wisdom teeth before you get your braces installed. Wisdom teeth may grow in at a later date or cause an impaction, which could interrupt the otherwise great results you’ll receive from traditional or invisible braces.

This recommendation isn’t just for cosmetic sake; some wisdom teeth can even cause the back of your teeth to crack. The last thing we want to do is risk painful, irritating, or expensive dental damage. What is most important is that your teeth are strengthened and reinforced by fixed braces which will ease them into a correct alignment.

Find Your Best Braces Options Today

Some patients may not need to remove their wisdom teeth before getting braces. But others wish they did because they are now struggling with chipped or broken teeth. Instead of having to pay for dental crowns and other restorative treatments, speak with your dentist about your best braces options. You can schedule an appointment with our pros to find out if you should invest in wisdom teeth extraction in Desert Hot Springs before or after you get your braces. Call us today to give your smile the treatment it deserves!

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