As part of our commitment at Face Focused Orthodontics, we prioritize understanding how wisdom teeth can affect your teen’s overall health, dental alignment, and airway function.
Every individual is different, and not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, regular dental check-ups can help monitor their development. Here are signs that may indicate a problem:
Impaction: When a tooth cannot fully emerge, it remains trapped under the gums or grows at an angle.
Crowding: Wisdom teeth can press against other teeth, causing alignment issues.
Cysts and Infections: Impacted wisdom teeth can form cysts, which may damage the surrounding bone and tissue.
Decay and Gum Disease: Wisdom teeth are harder to clean due to their position at the back of the mouth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Some wisdom teeth emerge without issue and can stay if they are healthy, fully erupted, and positioned correctly. A personalized assessment is essential in determining the best approach for each individual.
Early Evaluation Matters: Addressing wisdom teeth early helps teens avoid the discomfort and potential complications of delayed treatment. With early intervention, we can ensure the healthiest path forward, whether that involves monitoring their development or planning for extraction.
Deciding whether to remove wisdom teeth depends on a few key factors unique to each teen’s dental health and development:
Space in the Jaw: If there’s limited space in the dental arch, wisdom teeth can push against other teeth as they emerge. This pressure can disrupt alignment and potentially undo orthodontic work or crowd the dental arch, impacting overall bite and stability.
Airway Health: For some teens, a smaller jaw or crowded teeth can already contribute to a restricted airway, which may affect breathing during sleep. In these cases, removing wisdom teeth can prevent additional crowding and help preserve airway space, promoting better breathing and sleep quality.
Impact on Orthodontic Treatment: If your teen is currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth can interfere with progress. Their movement or pressure on surrounding teeth may affect the long-term success of braces or aligners, so preemptive removal can often support optimal treatment outcomes.
At Face Focused Orthodontics, we take a comprehensive approach to ensure your teen’s dental health supports proper airway function. Our team collaborates with other specialists, including oral surgeons and ENT doctors, to create a personalized plan that considers both dental alignment and airway health. By addressing wisdom teeth within the broader context of jaw development and breathing, we work to give your teen the best foundation for a lifetime of healthy breathing, sleep, and growth.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact our office. We’re here to help guide you through each stage of your teen’s dental and airway development.
