If you’re around the ages of 17 to 25 and you’re expecting your wisdom teeth soon, you may wonder, “can you get wisdom teeth pulled while wearing braces?” “How do wisdom teeth and braces affect each other?”
Let’s dive into wisdom teeth and braces.
First of all… can I even get braces before my wisdom teeth come in?
Yes, you can! In fact, before the wisdom teeth emerge is the ideal time to have braces. The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) suggests that children receive their first orthodontic exam around the age of 7.
During this exam, our experienced orthodontists can detect problematic orthodontic conditions before they fully emerge. An examination will reveal whether other orthodontic treatment may be necessary or beneficial, now or in the future.
The most common age to get braces is around 11 to 13, quite a few years before wisdom teeth start showing up. Some people are concerned that the late arrivals may cause even more issues between the wisdom teeth and braces.
When wisdom teeth grow in a healthy alignment, they shouldn’t cause problems; although, wisdom teeth sometimes don’t have enough room to erupt, so they grow sideways, toward another tooth. This is called an ‘impacted tooth’.
Impacted teeth, whether they’re partially or fully erupted through the gum can cause inflammation, pain, bacterial infections and damaged bone. This is why it’s so important to visit your orthodontist so he or she can detect this condition and intervene before it progresses.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can I Get Braces?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in and are rarely welcome in a mouth already full of teeth. Many people undergo a wisdom teeth removal procedure to prevent the wisdom teeth from impacting the already-emerged teeth.
If you or your child has a wisdom tooth extraction, the general rule is to wait at least two weeks before getting braces. We want your gums to heal fully before beginning treatment. However, even after two weeks, some people may still have some soreness and swelling.
Dr. Cetta and the team of experienced orthodontists at Bluewave Orthodontics will examine how well your recovery is progressing and will let you know when you are ready to get your braces. However, most patients are back to normal and ready for braces within two weeks.
Can Braces Straighten Wisdom Teeth?
For whatever reason, you may wish to avoid wisdom teeth removal and wonder, can braces straighten wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth that grow in without a problem are very unlikely to cause any issues with your braces treatment, nor will your braces affect the alignment of the wisdom teeth.
If you have an overcrowded mouth, your wisdom teeth are likely to bring some unpleasant symptoms. In this case, there’s a chance that your wisdom teeth are impacted, and wisdom teeth removal may be the safest option.
What if I have Braces and My Wisdom Teeth are Coming In?
If you just started your braces treatment, or you’ve had them for a while, you may feel concerned about your wisdom teeth finally revealing themselves somewhere in the middle of your braces treatment.
Dr. Navarro has dedicated his career and understands that every treatment is different and everyone has concerns and questions when it comes to dealing with wisdom teeth while wearing braces.
Your orthodontist will keep a close eye on your wisdom teeth to determine the best route moving forward. We treat patients on a case-by-case, patient-by-patient basis, not with general treatment plans.
Your treatment plan will be 100% personalized to you, and we’ll adjust it throughout your treatment process if necessary.
So, can you get wisdom teeth pulled while wearing braces? Yes! It’s a standard procedure and it happens all the time. We will coordinate with your dentist, if necessary.
It’s important to remember:
– Orthodontic treatment lengths can be significantly reduced when starting treatment at a young age.
– An evaluation at age seven is highly recommended.
– Not everyone will need to have wisdom teeth removed.
– If the growth of wisdom teeth and braces treatment coincides, your wisdom teeth can be extracted.
– Blue Wave Orthodontics will perform regular checkups to monitor your jaw and teeth during your treatment to ensure the best possible results!
We want you to look good, do good and feel good throughout your treatment! We will always ensure that you’re informed about your condition, knowledgeable of your treatment choices, and given all of the resources you need to empower you as a decision maker in your treatment.
Still have questions about Wisdom Teeth and Braces?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We love to hear from you. We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Wesley Chapel, North Tampa, South Tampa or Bradenton, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
