Many teenagers will spend some time in braces in order to straighten out their smile. On top of that, many young adults will need to get their wisdom teeth removed at some point because those third molars are posing problems for their dental health. So, the big question that remains is if you need both, does it matter which treatment you get done first?
Wisdom Teeth Removal Before or After Braces
Some people may say that wisdom teeth should be removed before braces treatment begins so that they don’t come in, cause crowding, and mess up all the progress of the orthodontics. In reality, it’s not necessary. First off, not all wisdom teeth cause issues and it’s possible that someone’s wisdom teeth will grow in normally and there’s no need to jump the gun and remove them. Secondly, if wisdom teeth need to be removed, the dentist should notice this before any troubles begin so there won’t be any damage done to the straightening of the patient’s smile.
The Problem with Waiting for Wisdom Teeth
There’s another important factor to keep in mind related to the timing of wisdom teeth and braces. While there’s no age limit to getting braces, most people get them between the ages of 8 and 14. As the last set of molars to appear, wisdom teeth don’t come in until much later—around 17 to 25 years old.
Orthodontic treatment is recommended that early because permanent teeth are coming in, but the jaw is still developing to allow for easier movement. If you wait until your wisdom teeth are there, orthodontic treatment may take longer to get the same results. Not to mention, a patient will have potentially spent many more years dealing with the effects of misalignment.
If you’d like to know whether you or your child should get wisdom teeth removed before or after braces, contact Stroope Orthodontics. Our team can take a look at the specific case and make a personalized recommendation.
