Are you an adult who is planning on receiving orthodontic treatment? While it is never too late to improve the placement of your teeth, if you still have your wisdom teeth, a tooth extraction will likely be necessary so that you can enjoy optimal results with your braces.
Adults who decide to wear braces will need some room in their mouths to move teeth, especially if teeth are crowded, crooked, and overlapped. A tooth extraction is a procedure that removes an entire tooth, including the roots. Fortunately, having your wisdom teeth removed will benefit more than just the effectiveness of your upcoming orthodontic treatment; it will benefit your oral health and quality of life as well.
Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed before braces?
Braces work by applying consistent pressure to teeth to move them over time; however, teeth need room to move and wisdom teeth can create a crowded situation that impedes tooth movement. By removing wisdom teeth, patients can have extra room for tooth movement and therefore enjoy effective orthodontic treatment.
What are the benefits of having a wisdom tooth extraction?
Beyond making room for braces, wisdom tooth removal is beneficial to one’s oral health for many reasons. Wisdom teeth contribute to an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease – especially since wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean. If wisdom teeth crowd teeth (and they normally do), people may also experience facial pain and headaches on top of occlusal problems and TMJ dysfunction. By removing wisdom teeth, a person can reduce their risk for disease and prevent oral health complications.
Why choose an oral surgeon?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a specialist who is trained to perform a variety of procedures and surgeries within the oral cavity and the face. This training and additional education means that an OMS can provide focused and individualized care – especially in complex cases. Wisdom teeth, unlike other tooth extractions, can be more complex because of their positioning and root systems.
For additional information or to schedule a consultation, contact our team at Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery today.
