One of the primary purposes of braces is to straighten the teeth and bring them into proper alignment with one another. Given the way that wisdom teeth can disrupt that very thing, you might wonder whether it’s better to have the wisdom teeth removed before getting braces put on or not. The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no.
Generally speaking, it’s often best to get braces put on before the wisdom teeth are removed. This is a matter of timing more than anything else, really. The general recommendation is that each child see an orthodontist around the age of seven. This allows the orthodontist to evaluate whether or not the child is likely to need braces or other orthodontic intervention. If it is determined that braces are needed, they’re commonly applied around the age of 11-13, well before wisdom teeth are anything to worry about.
Of course, that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of reasons why a person may not have braces at that young of an age, in which case the timing of braces may be much closer to that of the wisdom teeth growing in. Today, most people will need their wisdom teeth extracted to prevent them from creating more alignment issues. If you’re old enough that your wisdom teeth might be impacting the results of wearing braces, your orthodontist may recommend having them removed before getting braces.
A lot of people today simply don’t have room in their mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth. Because of this, if they’re allowed to grow in, they tend to push against the teeth nearby. This can lead to crowding issues and even tooth damage. This can be even more of a problem if it happens while braces are on, since the braces will prevent the teeth from moving to accommodate the new ones. Aside from that, they don’t always grow in straight. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause all sorts of problems, making it best to just remove them before they become more of a problem.
If applied early enough, getting braces and dealing with wisdom teeth are two events that don’t overlap at all. Still, it’s important to understand the effect that wisdom teeth can have on braces and the teeth. It takes time for braces to straighten out your teeth. Don’t let your wisdom teeth undo all that work.
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