What You Need to Know About Impacted Wisdom Teeth and Braces

You have probably heard stories about how painful impacted wisdom teeth can be and are probably concerned about how it might affect your orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry though. With the right treatment, impacted wisdom railroad your new beautiful smile.

Here is what you need to know about impacted wisdom teeth:

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are actually a third set of adult molars that erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Sometimes the wisdom teeth don’t fully come in.

Will Wisdom Teeth Affect Your Smile?

The good news is whether you are already done your orthodontic treatment or still in the process when your wisdom teeth erupt, they will not cause your teeth to shift.

Research from the University of Iowa has shown that the wisdom teeth do not exert enough pressure to shift teeth. The shifting just naturally happens as we get older. That is why wearing your retainer is so important.

What Happens If a Wisdom Tooth Gets Impacted?

Sometime if a wisdom tooth only partially emerges food and bacteria can collect around it causing gum infection and tooth decay if not taken care of properly. When there isn’t enough room in your mouth for the new teeth, sometimes they will get stuck in your jaws and gums which can cause pain and discomfort. This is what is meant by a impacted wisdom tooth.

Sometimes wisdom teeth can also come in sideway which can also cause discomfort. An impacted wisdom tooth can also call an abscess to grown around the tooth. This happens because the impacted wisdom tooth is not easy to clean and accumulates bacteria which causes an infections.

If your wisdom teeth do become impacted, they can simply be removed in an outpatient surgical procedure. Even if you are currently wearing braces, they can still be removed. It is best to make sure you are seeing your orthodontist and dentist regularly to protect your oral health. Your orthodontist and dentist can work together to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

Sometimes if an orthodontist can see that you have a crowded mouth and that the wisdom teeth might be a problem, he or she might recommend getting your wisdom teeth taken out before you get your braces.

However, you might not be comfortable undergoing the surgery if it isn’t absolutely necessary at this time. It is best to talk to your orthodontist and your regular dentist about all your options so you can pick the one that is best for you. Make sure you have a team that you trust and who will guide you in the right direction.

Still looking for an orthodontist you can trust? Consider Orthodontics Limited. Here’s why:

They are an Invisalign Top 1% Provider. Orthodontics Limited is one of only three dental practices in Pennsylvania to be awarded this special distinction in 2014 and in 2015. What this means is that the orthodontists in this practice are considered in the top percent of all dentists and orthodontists that use Invisalign and Invisalign Teen worldwide.

Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists, Drs. Pale, Gemmi and Middleberg only work on straightening teeth every day so they are experts at what they do. And they are also experienced in the other popular types of orthodontic treatments like metal braces and ceramic braces.

They offer you individualized attention. Drs. Pale, Gemmi and Middleberg know what a big difference a straighter smile can make in a person’s life. Not only does it help restore self-confidence, it makes it easier to practice proper oral hygiene so you have a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come. They also understand that each person’s situation is different so that is why they take the time to sit down with you and go over your options. They can help you create the best treatment plan for your particular needs.

If you choose Invisalign, the staff at Orthodontics Limited can use 3D technology to map out your treatment so you can see it stage by stage as well as get a glimpse of what the final results will look like. The orthodontist will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth to create a 3-D image of your teeth and then uses this to map the exact movement of teeth needed to straighten them out. The treatment plan will also give you a good idea of how long the treatment process will take. Knowing how pleased you will be with the final results will certainly help make the whole process more bearable.

Once you receive your first set of aligners, you will wear them for two weeks at a time before receiving a new set. Each new set of aligners is designed to help move along the teeth straightening process. You will be instructed to wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours each day. If you are not consistent in wearing your aligners, you could possible delay your treatment so it is important to follow all instructions given to you.

When you are completed your treatment, you will love your more beautiful smile and find yourself facing each day with more confidence. Make sure to ask whether you will need retainers to help maintain your new smile.

At Orthodontics Limited, Drs. Gemmi, Middleberg and Pale really care about you and your oral health. Cost for any orthodontic treatment can be a big factor for many people.

Often people opt out of getting it done because they consider it a mostly aesthetic problem that doesn’t necessarily have to be fixed, considering it a more luxury item. This couldn’t be more further from the truth however. Crooked teeth and bite issues need to be fixed in order to prevent tooth decay and gum issues down the line. It is not just about a pretty smile so at Orthodontics Limited they will work with you to come up with an affordable plan.

Contact Orthodontics Limited today to find out more about how impacted wisdom teeth might affect your orthodontic treatment and to schedule an initial consultation. Don’t wait any longer to take care of your oral health. You deserve a beautiful, healthy smile.