Can braces straighten wisdom teeth?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Can braces straighten wisdom teeth? And will include the following topics: Will Braces Affect My Wisdom Teeth?
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Potential problems with wisdom teeth
Do my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Common causes for wisdom teeth removal
Are there any risks associated with wisdom teeth extraction?
Recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction
Do wisdom teeth make it more difficult to straighten your teeth?
Can braces straighten wisdom teeth?
Yes, braces can straighten your wisdom tooth along with other teeth if they have fully erupted. But if a wisdom tooth is partially erupted,there is no option but to extract it.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and last pair of molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws, and they grow in the back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, and they normally do so when a person is older (in their late teens or early twenties), hence the name.
Potential problems with wisdom teeth
Existing teeth are not pushed out or shifted by wisdom teeth because they do not exert enough pressure. Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, are more prone than other teeth to develop in the incorrect location, just partially grow in, or become entirely impacted.
Wisdom teeth that develop in the incorrect location can often trap food between the teeth, making it difficult for floss to enter the gap. Even if you practise regular dental hygiene, this might eventually lead to bacteria accumulation between the teeth.
Wisdom teeth that are partly impacted (just a fragment of the tooth emerges through the gums) might allow bacteria to become trapped behind the gums and cause infections. This third pair of molars can also produce discomfort and swelling around the gums, as well as jaw rigidity.
When there is no room for the tooth to develop and the tooth never emerges at the gumline, the tooth is said to be impacted. X-ray technology will be used by your dentist to diagnose an impacted tooth. The dentist can assess if a tooth is at danger of infection based on how far it is from the surface and its location relative to your jawbone.
You won’t need a dentist to extract your wisdom teeth if they have enough room to grow and develop normally. It is a prevalent misconception that all people have their wisdom teeth removed. Professionals now are mostly in agreement that preventive removal is unnecessary. Before removing any wisdom teeth, be sure to question your dentist why he wants to remove them and don’t be hesitant to get a second opinion.
Do my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Many patients find that their wisdom teeth are unable to develop regularly. They either become caught under the gums or can only partially break through the gums. These teeth are referred to as impacted by dentists. Wisdom teeth frequently get impacted because there isn’t enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth that are growing in, or because the tooth comes in at an incorrect angle and collides with the tooth in front of it.
However, there is no need to be concerned; impacted wisdom teeth are very common, and some people never have any problems with them. Impacted wisdom teeth, on the other hand, might cause difficulties for others, such as gum discomfort, cavities, foul breath, and infection. Furthermore, the process of them settling in might be traumatic. For these reasons, impacted wisdom teeth are frequently removed by dentists or oral surgeons before they become a problem.
Common causes for wisdom teeth removal
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
In certain circumstances, wisdom teeth become “impacted,” which means they do not have enough space to emerge from the gums and grow normally.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause symptoms including:
Swollen, Tender or Bleeding Gums
Jaw pain
Swelling or Stiffness in the Jaw
Bad Breath
Difficulty opening your mouth
Although impacted wisdom teeth may not cause any symptoms in certain circumstances, dentists and oral surgeons may advise removing impacted wisdom teeth to avoid future problems.
Incorrect Growth
When wisdom teeth come in, they might take up too much space in the mouth. Braces cannot be used to straighten these teeth. There is no technique that can be performed to make the teeth all fit together when the mouth is overcrowded. The only alternative is for them to be removed. A dentist can tell you which teeth may need to be removed. They may have to remove all of them or only a few of them.
There are generally 28 teeth in the mouth before wisdom teeth appear. There will be 32 teeth when the wisdom teeth have erupted. There may not be enough space in everyone’s mouths to accommodate the extra teeth, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Pain and Irritation
Wisdom teeth can cause aches and pains as they grow in. If you are in pain or discomfort, see your dentist for an examination and x-rays. They can tell if the discomfort is caused by the wisdom teeth or by anything else. Extraction is not always the best option, as determined by your dentist. The pain may subside with time, and no extraction will be necessary.
Difficulty Eating
If you suffer pain when eating, this might be a sign that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Food might become lodged between the gums and the crowns of the teeth. This might lead to a slew of issues if you can’t get to the back of your mouth and clean thoroughly while brushing. The easiest approach to deal with this issue is to consult with a dentist to locate the correct things to solve it. If the problem cannot be resolved, an extraction may be the only option.
A Cyst Forms Around the Tooth
A cyst is formed when a sac adjacent to the teeth fills with fluid. It can harm bones, roots, and adjacent structures if left untreated. If it becomes extremely severe, it might develop into a tumour and require further surgery.
Teeth are Not Straight
If the wisdom teeth come in incorrectly, the other teeth may shift and migrate over. They may potentially cause harm to the other teeth. Extraction can save other teeth from becoming damaged. There are several ideas as to why wisdom teeth emerge crooked and sideways. Our jaws are supposed to be too small to accommodate a third molar, which then knocks against the others, forcing it to develop sideways. You might also consider removing wisdom teeth before starting orthodontic treatment to give misalignments more room to adjust.
Sinus Issues
Wisdom teeth can cause a number of sinus issues. These issues emerge as teeth on the upper jaw grow in. When teeth grow and roots form, they can push and rub against the sinuses, causing pressure to build up. Even though this is not a common occurrence, wisdom teeth can occasionally cause sinus discomfort, pressure, headaches, and congestion.
Cavities
The placement of wisdom teeth can have a significant influence on cleaning surfaces where bacteria can hide. If the gums get inflamed, spaces between the teeth can form, allowing germs to proliferate. This will then stimulate the formation of cavities, which will lead to infection.
Inflamed Gums
When wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they might cause a flap of gum tissue to form close to the tooth. This gum tissue has the ability to capture microscopic particles of food and bacteria. Tissue surrounding the teeth might become hard and irritated, making cleaning difficult. This is known as pericoronitis, and it can also happen around wisdom teeth that are still beneath your gums.
Are there any risks associated with wisdom teeth extraction?
The sooner you get your troublesome wisdom teeth out, the faster you will heal. Infected wisdom teeth cause gum damage, cysts, and excruciating pain. Wisdom teeth that have decayed might also start decaying the neighbouring teeth, producing even greater issues. Wisdom teeth removal is currently considered a very regular treatment because of the availability of sophisticated instruments, X-ray machines, and pain management drugs.
There are a few concerns to be aware of, including delayed healing and sensitivity in the lips and mouth as a result of mandibular nerve injury. When considering wisdom teeth removal surgery, it’s crucial to keep in mind that people in their teens and twenties heal faster than elders.
In most circumstances, the benefits of surgery exceed the disadvantages. After your wisdom teeth are removed, you can use Invisalign, braces, and eventually dental retainers to maintain your teeth straight for a long period.
Recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction
It is important to give your mouth some time to heal following wisdom teeth extraction. This will allow your teeth to settle and adapt after being subjected to all of the pressure generated by the wisdom tooth.Normal post-wisdom tooth extraction symptoms include soreness and swelling of the gums, which may give the impression that the teeth have displaced. However, after the swelling has subsided, your bite will return to normal.A full recovery period usually takes around two weeks, although it can take up to four weeks in certain cases.
Do wisdom teeth make it more difficult to straighten your teeth?
Teeth straightening is unaffected by wisdom teeth. You can straighten your teeth using invisible aligners whether or not you have wisdom teeth. In fact, you can straighten your teeth even when your wisdom teeth are still erupting. Aligners are used to align the teeth that are visible to the naked eye, except the wisdom teeth.
Some people worry that wisdom teeth may cause their other teeth to become misaligned when they emerge. However, this is not the case. When wisdom teeth erupt, they only exert a small amount of pressure, not enough to knock your other teeth out of alignment. If your teeth do shift out of position, it’s more than likely because you’re not wearing your aligner and other things are causing them to do so.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can you fix wisdom teeth with braces?
Yes, a wisdom tooth can be fixed with braces. If your wisdom tooth is fully erupted and there is enough space available in your jaw, they can be fixed along with other teeth.
Should I pull out my wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth should be pulled out,if they are causing significant dental problems. These include dental pain, infection, cavities,abscess etc.
Do you need teeth removed for braces?
Yes, sometimes you need teeth removal for braces. This is done when there isn’t enough room available for teeth to straighten.
Can wisdom teeth misalign your jaw?
No, wisdom teeth cannot misalign your jaw. Even if your wisdom tooth erupts after completion of your orthodontic treatment, there is nothing to worry because they exert very little pressure while erupting which cannot disturb your teeth alignment.
Does your jawline change after wisdom teeth?
No, wisdom tooth do not change your jawline.
Other FAQs about Teeth braces that you may be interested in.
How long will my teeth be sore after getting braces?
What happens if you use whitening toothpaste with braces?
What do braces feel like the first day?