DO MY WISDOM TEETH NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT?

I am often asked by patients if they need their wisdom teeth extracted so that their teeth do not shift after their braces are done.  Many studies have shown that having wisdom teeth removed does not lower changes that teeth may shift and only proper retainer wear will prevent unwanted toot movement after orthodontic treatment.  That does not mean that in some cases wisdom teeth should be removed for other reasons.  Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, typically erupt once all other teeth are in place and there is no more room in your mouth to accommodate four more back teeth. If they can’t erupt fully, these extra teeth grow under the gums, leaning into the roots of the existing teeth. The wisdom teeth then become stuck, or  impacted, and not only cannot erupt into a proper position in the mouth, but can also damage the roots of the  already-erupted permanent teeth. Having these extra teeth trapped under your gums can result in infection, the formation of cysts, and gum disease. Despite all this action under the gums, most people usually do not realize their wisdom teeth are impacted until their dentist discovers so on an x-ray. At this point, the dentist may recommend extracting the teeth before they become more difficult to remove and start causing serious dental issues. Ideally, this is when the patient is in his late teens or early twenties, as extractions tend to become more difficult as the patient grows older.

Dr. David Hoffman is an orthodontist and Invisalign Certified Provider serving the communities of North Scottsdale and Central Phoenix at Arizona Orthodontics Studio. Please call 480-451-3088 or visit www.thesmilecreators.com to schedule your appointment.  follow Dr. Hoffman on Google+