Wisdom teeth don’t make you wise…unfortunately. Also known as the third molars, wisdom teeth emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood. But for a lot of people, wisdom teeth can be problematic: there’s no room for them, they emerge at an odd angle, or they get stuck underneath the gums and cause infections.
In fact, a large majority of people need to have their wisdom teeth removed; all 32 teeth are rare. What’s not so rare is wanting to get orthodontic treatment around the time the wisdom teeth emerge. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth can complicate your treatment.
At-home aligners have become a pretty popular orthodontic treatment method, and it’s possible to use them if you still have your wisdom teeth. That said, you need your dentist’s approval to get orthodontic treatment without removing the teeth. In this guide, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about wisdom teeth and aligner treatments.
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Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal
There isn’t one universal reason for removing wisdom teeth. That’s because everyone’s smile is different. But for most people, wisdom teeth have to be removed simply because there isn’t room for them.
In a way, advanced modern dentistry is partly to blame: now we know how to care for teeth to last a lifetime. It’s rare for adolescents and young adults to lose a tooth from decay these days. In the not-so-distant past, that wasn’t true. People lost teeth due to decay and gum disease pretty frequently. That meant they had room for the wisdom teeth when they emerged (and they were glad for a replacement set of teeth).
But modern people typically don’t have the necessary room because they haven’t lost teeth. And to top it off, research suggests that people’s jaws are smaller than they used to be, largely due to genetics. Since there rarely is enough room, the teeth usually need to be removed.
Wisdom Teeth Surgery: What to Expect
Even though everyone has a different reason for removing their wisdom teeth, the means of doing so is identical. Unfortunately, the only way is with surgery. In most cases, the surgery is pretty straightforward. Your oral surgeon will give you some kind of anesthesia.
What kind depends on your own health needs and what your surgeon prefers. For example, some will give you local anesthesia and laughing gas, and others might administer sedation through an IV. Prior to surgery, your orthodontist will discuss those options with you.
After you’re either sedated or under anesthesia, your oral surgeon will begin the operation. He or she will cut into your gums to remove the teeth. How deep the surgeon needs to cut depends on your teeth’s positions. If your roots are well established (common for people past adolescence), then it may be necessary to cut into your jaw, too. But for a lot of people, a small incision is all that’s needed to pull molars out.
Once the teeth have been removed, your surgeon will put in a stitch or two to close your gums. This helps them heal more quickly. Most surgeons will also insert gauze to help soak up some of the blood. All told, the process takes about 45 minutes (unless your teeth are impacted).
Once the surgery is done, your orthodontist will stop whatever anesthesia you’ve been given. Depending on the type of anesthesia you’ve been given, you might bounce back really quickly. You might not. It’s tough to predict how your body will respond, so your oral surgeon will probably require you to arrange for a ride home. Then you can begin the recovery process.
How Wisdom Teeth Affect Your Smile
Wisdom teeth can have a profound impact on your smile, especially if something is “off” about them. One of the most concerning effects is when your wisdom teeth impact. Long story short, the wisdom teeth can get trapped, unable to emerge completely. And when those teeth are trapped, you end up with problems.
There are some misconceptions about wisdom teeth, though. Most importantly, some people believe that the wisdom teeth will push on the other teeth, sending them out of alignment. However, recent studies show that’s not the case: wisdom teeth actually don’t exert enough pressure to move your permanent teeth. The only truly at-risk teeth are the ones directly beside your wisdom teeth. That’s because impacted wisdom teeth can damage the roots of the surrounding teeth. And root damage has long-term consequences.
If your wisdom teeth don’t damage the teeth around them, there are still some downsides. Minor impacted wisdom teeth might not cause any pain or damage, but they can be extremely hard to clean. Poor hygiene can lead to decay, gum disease, and so on. A lot of dentists recommend removing the wisdom teeth to prevent that from happening.
Wisdom Teeth and Home Aligners
Before you sign up with a home aligner company, they’ll recommend you visit your dentist for a routine check-up (we recommend it, too). As part of that check-up, you should get an X-ray done if you still have your wisdom teeth. Some dentists will conduct X-rays on a regular basis anyway, but you can specifically request one, too.
Based on your images, your dentist can easily determine if you should get your wisdom teeth removed. If your dentist recommends removal, then you should do it before beginning aligner treatment. Don’t worry, though: removing your wisdom teeth doesn’t mean you have to wait too long to start aligner treatments.
Each company has their own policies when it comes to treating people post-surgery, but in general, it’s good to wait at least six weeks. That gives your gums plenty of time to heal.
When To Get Wisdom Teeth Removed
Most people’s wisdom teeth first emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, but they’re visible on X-rays for a long time before they actually emerge. In an “ideal” smile, the wisdom teeth emerge right behind the second molars, facing straight up. But for a lot of people, the wisdom teeth come in at an angle. In extreme cases, the wisdom teeth get impacted.
Some people who need their wisdom teeth removed won’t experience any negative side effects. Others, however, might deal with tenderness, redness, swelling, bad breath, jaw soreness, and more. Regardless of the presence or absence of side effects, you should consult with your dentist about wisdom teeth removal.
Most dentists recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed before you turn 20. The younger you are, the easier it is to remove them, and the quicker you bounce back from surgery. That’s not to say people 21 and up shouldn’t get them removed, though. But slightly older adults tend to have more well-established roots, meaning the oral surgeon will have to cut deeper to pull them out.
What If I Keep My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth don’t automatically disqualify you from any sort of orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners. After all, aligners exert force on the teeth, and wisdom teeth can be moved, too, even though they emerge later than the rest of the teeth. The catch? You should only go ahead with aligner treatment if your dentist has confirmed that you don’t need your wisdom teeth removed.
On the surface, it might not look like you need your wisdom teeth removed. But you shouldn’t just assume that you can keep them. On the surface, it might look like your wisdom teeth are fine as is. But the only way to know for sure is to visit your dentist.
X-rays will tell the full story, including what’s going on underneath the surface of your gums. But only a dentist can take X-rays for you. So pay them a visit before you jump into aligner treatment!
Final Thoughts
Wisdom teeth can certainly complicate your orthodontic treatment, but they definitely don’t ruin your chances. You might just have to get them taken care of first. If you need them removed, we wish you a speedy recovery from surgery!
Once your gums have healed sufficiently, you’ll get to go shopping for home aligners. Ultimately, you’ll need to pick the aligner that best meets your needs. But we do have a few favorites of our own:
Once your gums have healed sufficiently, you’ll get to go shopping for home aligners. Ultimately, you’ll need to pick the aligner that best meets your needs. But we do have a few favorites of our own:
#1 | Byte
Byte is our all-around favorite service, and they perform well in every category. But what really stands out is their treatment speed; byte treatment typically lasts just 3 months. They also offer both daytime and nighttime treatment options.
Last but not least, byte offers a byte-for-Life guarantee. If your teeth ever shift post-treatment (and you’ve worn your retainers as prescribed), then byte will send you new aligners to get your smile back to perfection. To get all the details on our top-ranked home aligner, read our full byte review.
#2 | Candid
One thing we love about Candid is their ability to move all your teeth, even the molars. Other competitors primarily focus on the front six upper and lower teeth (also known as “the social six”). Candid’s ability to move all your teeth allows them to treat more complicated conditions than their competitors.
If you live near one of their Candid Studios, you can get a teeth scan and panoramic X-ray to begin your treatment, all for free. This shows the Candid team the full story of your wisdom teeth. Intrigued? Check out our full Candid review.
Want to Straighten Your Smile From Home? Byte is our #1-recommended service for teeth straightening. They offer the best-value clear aligner system at a fair price ($1,895).