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The Truth About Wisdom Teeth and Braces

The journey towards getting the best smile requires a lot of dedication and medical assistance. If you’re having problems with misaligned teeth, the most advisable thing is to visit a qualified orthodontist. Once our specialist examines your case, he might recommend that you get braces. The challenge sets in when wisdom teeth start growing, and it becomes difficult to achieve perfect alignment. Most patients have many questions concerning the effect of wisdom teeth on braces.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

They are a set of molars that appear in adults from ages 17 to 25. In some cases, they can grow once a person has undergone some type of orthodontic treatment in the past. For some people, wisdom teeth grow partially or fully, while some do not have them at all. The downside of these teeth is that they are mostly crooked and can cause discomfort.

Should These Teeth Be Removed Before Getting Braces?

Recent research has shown that wisdom teeth have little or no effect on the braces, but the best thing is to consult our orthodontist. There are rare cases when patients do not have enough room in their mouth to accommodate the wisdom teeth, and the doctor may suggest their removal. Before wearing braces, our orthodontist needs to examine whether or not these teeth will have any effect on teeth alignment.

A common misconception that most people have is that once the wisdom teeth grow, they cause crowding and push the other teeth in front. However, recent research has shown that teeth drift forward naturally as the years go by. This means that when you remove your braces, the wisdom teeth will have little or no effect on your aligned teeth.

When is the Right Time to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

While removing these teeth is not always necessary, there are instances that call for their removal. If you are experiencing discomfort due to overcrowding in your mouth, you might consider removing them. Also, if the teeth are impacting your other teeth, you should have them removed.

To learn more about wisdom teeth and braces, simply contact us at Dr. Scott Runnels Orthodontics. We have locations in Destin and Inlet Beach and proudly serve patients in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Freeport, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Panama City Beach, and Panama City. Contact us today to book an appointment!

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