Should I get braces before or after my wisdom teeth are removed?

There are several reasons why you may need braces. If you have crooked teeth or if your jaw is not aligning properly, then your doctor will probably recommend orthodontic treatment. 

But if your wisdom teeth are not out yet, you may be wondering: should you remove them before you get the orthodontic treatment or after? 

How Wisdom Teeth Can Impact Your Oral Health 

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that sit in the lower and upper corners of your jaw. They erupt later in your teen years, usually around 17 to 18 years old. However, it's not unusual for some people to have their first wisdom tooth erupt at the age of 25 years old. 

The problem with wisdom teeth is that we don't really need them for our mouth and jaw to perform regular functions. While they were necessary once to help us chew raw food like roots and meat, nowadays we don't need them anymore. As such, the space in the back of our mouth for this third set of molars is becoming narrower and narrower. Because wisdom teeth don't have enough space to erupt anymore, they usually cause trouble. If there's not enough room in the mouth for these molars to erupt, then they will push the other teeth away, leading to crowded teeth and misalignments. 

How Wisdom Teeth Can Affect Orthodontic Treatment 

It's not a fixed rule that wisdom teeth will affect your orthodontic treatment. The dentist will determine after examining your mouth if there is enough room on your jaw for the molars to erupt without affecting your other teeth. 

If your teeth are already crowded and it is evident that your wisdom teeth are making it worse or could make it worse when they will erupt, then your doctor will recommend removing them before getting braces. 

What if your teen is the one getting the braces and their wisdom teeth are not out yet? In most cases, you can control their teeth alignment and ensure they will keep their position even after wisdom teeth eruption with the help of retainers. 

Over to You

Orthodontic treatment can be quite expensive and you want to ensure that your investment and time spent in the dentist's chair won't go down the drain because of your wisdom teeth. 

Your dentist will closely examine your mouth and determine if you can undergo orthodontic treatment without removing your wisdom teeth or if extraction is necessary. 

If you are looking for a caring, professional, and experienced dentist in Wyomissing to care for your entire family's oral health, then at Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics you can find the dedicated team your family needs. 

We'd love to hear from you so don't hesitate to book your appointment with us now.