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What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom is not the only thing that may come with age. Wisdom teeth, which are your third molars, typically appear during your late teen to early adult years. If yours come through correctly they are an asset and help you chew, if not they may lead to the following:
- Impacted teeth, meaning the teeth are trapped either in the jaw or under the gums, can cause discomfort and can form cysts.
- Wisdom teeth that have only partially come through can allow food to be trapped, which can lead to painful infections.
- Those that have come through improperly can make it too difficult to floss.
If anything like the above exist with your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you have them removed. Nine out of ten patients will have a problem with at least one of their wisdom teeth, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Even if they come in correctly, they will need to be monitored regularly.
Can wisdom teeth affect my braces?
For most of us, orthodontic work is done in the early teenage years before these teeth start coming in. If this is the case, you will most likely be done wearing braces before your wisdom teeth come in. There is no hard evidence to suggest that wisdom teeth alone will mess up your teeth after having them corrected with braces. Still, your dentist and orthodontist may recommend that you have them removed to avoid discomfort.
If you have braces when your wisdom teeth begin to come in. The orthodontist will decide what the best form of treatment is for your specific case. Every mouth is different and your orthodontist will look at your individual needs to determine whether or not removing your wisdom teeth is necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns about your wisdom teeth impacting your orthodontic care, schedule a consultation with us at EA Smiles.