Clear Teeth Aligners are a great solution to help you achieve the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, but it’s important to first know whether your wisdom teeth might impact the treatment process.
What are wisdom teeth? Should they be removed?
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are four teeth that grow at the back of your gums, typically in your late teens or during your twenties. Because they emerge so much later than the other adult teeth, there is often a good chance that there isn’t enough room for them to break through safely. Because of this, they can become impacted, which is when the tooth remains stuck in gum tissue or bone. Alternatively, they can partially emerge or emerge fully but at an angle.
Generally, wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed, even if they are impacted, so long as they aren’t causing you any problems. Having them pulled may actually cause more issues than simply leaving them alone.
However, occasionally they can sometimes cause food and bacteria to get trapped around the edge of the emerging tooth, which potentially leads to more significant issues, including:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- An Abscess
- Cysts
- Bacterial Infections
As everyone’s teeth can grow in different ways, there is no single right answer. So if your wisdom teeth are emerging, it’s essential to have a professional dental consultation so they can advise you on the best course of action for your situation.
How do Wisdom Teeth Affect Clear Aligner Treatment
In many cases, a painless wisdom tooth that has already emerged won’t affect your treatment. But before they emerge fully, it is harder to determine how they could potentially disrupt the teeth alignment process.
Call us on 023 8044 2626 to determine whether you’re a good candidate for clear teeth aligners. It’s vital to get expert consultation with our orthodontists in Southampton before you decide to proceed with the treatment At this examination, they will be able to perform an X-Ray to give them a clear view to assess if the wisdom tooth could lead to potential problems as it develops.
If you’re in a rush to start your clear teeth aligner journey and don’t want to wait until your wisdom teeth fully emerge, the orthodontist can trim the aligner back. This added space can accommodate the wisdom teeth once it fully emerges.
Can Wisdom Teeth Alter my Straight Teeth?
You might think that having clear teeth aligner treatment before your wisdom teeth emerge might mean that when they do, they cause a misalignment on your newly straightened teeth. This is a common misconception as research has shown that wisdom teeth do not exert enough pressure to push other teeth out of their way as they erupt, causing them to move and overlap.
Similarly, the process of having your wisdom teeth removed after clear teeth aligners have straightened them will not have any effect on your teeth alignment. You may feel your bite is slightly different after the fact due to additional space, but the physical alignment of your teeth should be unchanged. The main impact on your teeth relapsing to their previous alignment would instead be not properly using your retainer.
Start your Teeth Aligner journey today.
At Clear Aligners Southampton, we use the latest advanced 3D modelling technology to carefully craft uniquely bespoke clear aligners for each individual, providing the best results in teeth straightening.
If you’re interested in our clear teeth aligner treatment but still have some unanswered questions, get in touch with our award-winning dentists. We will develop a personalised cosmetic dentistry plan, giving you the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
