If the position of your teeth bother you, but you are too concerned that the only options will cause you discomfort, you’ll be relieved to know that orthodontics is more than traditional fixed braces. Furthermore, the eruption of teeth, such as wisdom teeth, can be a cause for concern for many patients.

At McDonald Orthodontics, we know that starting orthodontics treatment in Keizer can be stressful for many patients. The good news is that we are here to help you overcome any anxiety you may have about starting orthodontic treatment.

Today, we will be talking about one of the biggest concerns in orthodontics: wisdom teeth and how they may or may not affect your orthodontic treatment. If you are concerned or even scared regarding your wisdom teeth, don’t be. There are a lot of myths surrounding wisdom teeth that are our source of fear, but in reality, they are just like any other teeth in your mouth, let’s take a look.

First, let’s start with a definition of precisely what these oh-so-famous teeth are.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge from the back of the mouth. You may also know them as “third molars,” but, more likely, you’ve called them”wisdom teeth.” They erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. They are not necessary for proper chewing or speaking. Wisdom teeth get their name because they appear later in life than other teeth. You get two on top and two on the bottom as part of a complete set of 32 adult teeth.

One of the most frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth is whether you need to have them extracted by a professional. Yes, your trusted ortho in Keizer may need to remove your wisdom teeth. But don’t be alarmed just yet. There are specific situations when the extraction is necessary.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Many people’s wisdom teeth are unable to develop naturally. The teeth can get caught behind the gums or barely break through the gumline. Dentists refer to these teeth as impacted teeth. Wisdom teeth become impacted when there isn’t enough room in the jaw to accommodate all of the teeth coming in or when the tooth comes in at a wrong angle and collides with the tooth in front of it.

It’s not uncommon for wisdom teeth to get impacted. Although some people are unaffected, impacted wisdom teeth can cause serious dental complications.

Early Signs That You May Have an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Although it can be challenging to view the back of your mouth, if you’re having trouble with your teeth or jaw, use a mirror to check for any of these other symptoms.

Because molars have diverse surfaces and are likely to have cracks and fissures, the back of our mouths are prone to dental disorders in any event. They’re also harder to reach with a toothbrush and floss.

On the other hand, wisdom teeth are considerably more fragile. If you have wisdom teeth, keep the following in mind:

• Gums that are swollen.
• Gums that are tender.
• Gum bleeding.
• Back of the mouth pain in the jaw.
• Jaw pain and swelling.
• Bad breath.
• A bad taste in one’s mouth.
• Chewing or opening the mouth is difficult.

What happens next with your wisdom teeth? We’ll take x-rays to see what the best course of action is. If extraction is necessary, don’t worry: the sooner these teeth are extracted by a professional, the better you’ll feel.

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

The most common misconception regarding wisdom teeth is that they shift or move your teeth. We have heard this myth for many years; below, we will set the record straight.

Can Wisdom Teeth Shift My Teeth?

In summary, No. One of the most common misconceptions concerning wisdom teeth is that they crowd the teeth in front of them. For a long time, this is why many orthodontists, general dentists, and oral surgeons advised wisdom tooth evacuation to minimize teeth crowding, especially following orthodontic treatment.

This precaution is no longer necessary, and the existence of wisdom teeth has little to do with tooth crowding.

A mountain of research refutes the assumption that wisdom teeth can create crowding by influencing tooth movement. They are unable to exert the appropriate pressure. Studies have demonstrated that teeth will normally drift forward throughout life, even if wisdom teeth are present.

The distance between the lower canines narrows as teeth shift forward somewhat; this can happen even if your orthodontist has removed your wisdom teeth.

If you have crooked teeth, your wisdom teeth are unlikely to be the cause. Tooth crowding can be inherited or caused by certain activities like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing, to name a few. Dental decay or incorrect jaw development are also reasons for crooked teeth.

Is It Necessary to Remove Teeth for My Orthodontic Treatment?

Sometimes you need to lose something to gain something. Tooth extraction – or taking teeth out to remove them – is necessary for some orthodontic instances to provide the optimum results, such as straight teeth and a healthy grin.

Pulling teeth is only done by an orthodontist if necessary. Before recommending an extraction, your orthodontist will evaluate all other possibilities for a healthy smile. Extraction is an incredibly safe and practical approach to help align the teeth properly for those with excess teeth or too much crowding.

Usually, the premolars (the 4th and 5th teeth in sequence from the front) are the most probable teeth to be pulled by a specialist, but it depends on the patient’s unique circumstances.

However, not all orthodontic treatments need tooth extractions. A few instances necessitate extractions, and highly crowded teeth usually characterize those cases.

If retaining all teeth in place will not allow for straight teeth and a good bite, tooth extraction may be the only option left for your dental health specialist. Only significant crowding of the teeth necessitates extraction.

Some common causes of dental crowding include:

• Too many molars.
• A jaw is too tiny to support all teeth effectively.
• Teeth are overly large, or a single tooth is irregular in shape.

In other cases, your orthodontist may recommend tooth extraction because of bacterial growth and plaque build-up if it has deteriorated or become injured from prior crowding. If the decay is sufficiently severe, it may be more cost-effective to simply remove the teeth and replace them with healthy teeth guided into position by braces or Invisalign in Keizer.

Extractions are especially important in cases where the results would be unstable if teeth were not removed by your team before treatment, resulting in later shifting and misalignment that would require more orthodontic care to address. In that instance, it’s more sensible to extract teeth in the first place to produce healthy, long-lasting effects.

Can I Get Wisdom Teeth Removed Even With Braces?

Some people are concerned about having their wisdom teeth pulled while wearing braces. The good news is that you can have your wisdom teeth extracted by an orthodontist and an oral surgeon, even if you are already wearing braces. It will not impair your orthodontic treatment, and your braces will not influence your wisdom teeth removal recovery! So there’s no need to put off having your wisdom teeth extracted by a team of professionals.

Make an Appointment Right Now

Visit our website to learn more about wisdom teeth or schedule a consultation with our Dr. if you believe you could benefit from wisdom tooth extraction. We are always delighted to assist you and your family in achieving the smile of your dreams at McDonald Orthodontics.