Wisdom Teeth and Braces Information for Your Teen

As an orthodontist office, we hear concerns from parents about their child’s wisdom teeth and what they can mean for teeth that have been straightened by braces or other orthodontic treatment. As the last molars to grow in, often coming through when there isn’t enough room in the mouth, wisdom teeth usually need to be extracted (which is made more difficult if they’re impacted or not growing properly and breaking through the gums). In this post, we will take a closer look at wisdom teeth and how they can affect the results achieved from braces.

First, wisdom teeth should usually be taken out if they will move teeth that have been corrected by braces or are in the process of being shifted. You should always have wisdom teeth removed before orthodontic treatment if they’re ready to be removed and likely to cause problems. Deciding on whether wisdom teeth should be removed before or after orthodontic treatment, will depend on the patient’s age and opinions from the dentist or oral surgeon and orthodontist.

If you’re concerned about your child’s wisdom teeth and what they mean for orthodontic treatment, you should definitely speak with your dentist and orthodontist before beginning. This will allow you to have a plan in place for both doctors who can coordinate your treatment strategy.

At Bandeen Orthodontics of Kalamazoo, we treat patients of all ages and have a lot of experience coordinating with other providers, like dentists and oral surgeons, to help ensure that your wisdom teeth will not impact the results you have gotten from your braces. If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment, do not hesitate to contact us today! We look forward to helping you obtain the smile of your dreams.