If you spent years in braces in order to get a perfectly straight smile, you may want to consider having your third molars (more commonly known as the wisdom teeth) removed so that it will stay that way.
Impacted wisdom teeth will continue to try to emerge, even though most human jaws do not have the space necessary for them to slide into the correct positions. In doing so, these large third molars can push the other teeth out of alignment, rendering years of orthodontic treatment useless.
To protect their investment in earlier orthodontic treatment, many patients will consult with an oral surgeon to have their wisdom teeth removed before any misalignment develops. Impacted teeth often must be extracted in a surgical procedure because they are at least partially covered by bone material that must be removed before the tooth can be.
Keeping your teeth properly aligned is one of many benefits you gain when an oral surgeon removes your wisdom teeth.
Keeping your teeth properly aligned is one of many benefits you gain when an oral surgeon removes your wisdom teeth. Impacted third molars are associated with a higher risk of a number of other oral health issues, such as abscesses, cysts and tumors. Impacted wisdom teeth also may cause damage to neighboring teeth as they try to push through the gums.
X-rays and a visual examination can help a surgeon determine whether the wisdom teeth are indeed impacted and whether extraction is indicated. The surgeon will then educate the patient on the pros and cons of the suggested treatment so that the patient can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with the extraction.
If you do opt for wisdom tooth extraction, it is recommended that you have the procedure completed by the time you reach your mid-twenties. The procedure is less complex in younger patients, and the recovery period typically is shorter for them.
Patients who don’t want to endure a second round of orthodontic treatment should explore wisdom tooth extraction to reduce the chances that the teeth will become crooked again in a few years. Contact our team at Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery to schedule an evaluation that can indicate whether wisdom tooth extraction would be beneficial in your case.
