Teen holds her hand against jaw where wisdom teeth are erupting after braces

Wisdom Teeth Extraction After Braces

If your child has recently completed dental braces treatment, you’re likely determined to protect the investment of time and money that was required to achieve such beautiful results. That said, sometimes our League City pediatric dentist will need to remove the wisdom teeth following braces, leaving many parents to wonder if it will affect their child’s teeth and bite, or if it’s even necessary at all. We’ll address these concerns and explain why wisdom teeth extraction after braces is an effective and often necessary treatment that will not affect the results of orthodontic treatments, such as braces or League City Invisalign.

Why Our League City Kids Dentist May Extract Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to erupt and typically do so in early adulthood. There are occasions when these molars cause no issues, but that is not typically the case. Our League City dentist recommends that most patients have their wisdom teeth removed because there is simply not enough space in the mouth for the teeth to erupt without causing additional issues like the shifting of surrounding teeth as they force their way through the gumline. Unextracted wisdom teeth can cause pain and become partially or fully impacted, meaning they are trapped underneath the jaw. When this occurs and is left unaddressed, significant problems are likely to arise, such as gum disease, cysts, and infection.

When Will Our League City Pediatric Dentist Extract Wisdom Teeth?

Because wisdom teeth cause problems even before they erupt, our League City pediatric dentist typically removes them in adolescence, usually between the ages of 12-17. This prevents the wisdom teeth from causing the problems associated when these molars become impacted. The closer they emerge to the surface of the gumline, the more pressure they place on the surrounding tissue and jaw. This is also true if it’s clear there simply isn’t enough room for them to emerge without causing surrounding teeth to shift when they do.

Will Wisdom Teeth Extraction Affect Dental Braces Treatment Results?

Because our League City pediatric dentist typically recommends wisdom teeth extraction after dental braces treatment has been completed, many parents are concerned this procedure may impact the results dental braces or League City Invisalign has achieved. Interestingly enough, our League City dentist extracts wisdom teeth so these molars cannot affect the bite or position of the teeth. Since you’ve already invested a significant amount of time and money into orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth extraction will protect your investment and prevent your child from the pain or issues wisdom teeth cause upon eruption.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction with Our League City Dentist

If our League City dentist has recommended wisdom teeth extraction for your child, the procedure takes two forms: a nonsurgical extraction and a surgical extraction. If the wisdom teeth are above the gumline, it will be a simple, nonsurgical extraction, in which our League City dentist numbs the area surrounding the tooth or teeth and then wiggles them loose before removing them with forceps. Because most wisdom teeth are extracted before they erupt, it is likely that our League City kids dentist will perform a surgical extraction to remove the molars below the gumline. This process begins with anesthesia that will allow you to fall asleep before our League City pediatric dentist opens the gum to access the tooth so it can be removed. 

Trust Autumn Family Dentistry with Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction After Braces

If you believe you or your child may need wisdom teeth extracted, schedule an appointment with our League City family dentist. We’ll provide a thorough dental exam to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient and ensure your comfort throughout. Don’t put off this important preventative measure and risk more significant problems for your child down the road.