Here's what you should do Wisdom teeth, known as third molars in some places, are frequently the cause of anxiety for numerous individuals. For some, these do not erupt fully, others are painful, impacted or even crowded. If you start noticing your teeth becoming misaligned or crowded as years pass, your wisdom teeth may have a role to play with it. But what exactly happens when wisdom teeth cause crowding, and what are your options for addressing this issue? In this blog, we’ll explore how wisdom teeth contribute to dental crowding and the various treatment options available to resolve it.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, found at the rear of the mouth, which typically begin to come in late in one's adolescence or early adulthood around the age of 17 to 25. These molars were once essential to our forebears to break down large chunks of uncooked plant matter. Through time, however, as man's diet became softer, and methods of cooking increased, so did the disuse of the wisdom tooth.
Many individuals have ample space in their mouth to accommodate the wisdom teeth, but most people have inadequate space in the posterior regions of the mouth where the wisdom teeth can emerge and properly position themselves. The crowding results in various dental complications such as impaction and infection, among others.
So how do wisdom teeth cause overcrowding in the mouth?
When the wisdom tooth starts to erupt, they put pressure on the adjacent molars which causes them to shift in the direction of the coming tooth. This may further lead to overcrowding, impacting the alignment and positioning of front teeth.
Sometimes, if these wisdom teeth are impacted-they do not emerge normally from the gums-the increased pressure on the adjacent teeth can worsen crowding. This can cause spaces to be uneven between teeth, cause some teeth to be crooked, or create an incorrectly aligned bite, making it very hard to clean around and between teeth. The greater the accumulation of plaque and bacteria will be, and thus there is a higher risk for cavities and gum disease.
Signs of Crowding Due to Wisdom Teeth
Identifying signs of crowding caused by wisdom teeth early will help you address the problem before it gets worse. In case you experience any of the following symptoms, then it is time to visit your dentist for a professional check-up:
Crooked or Misaligned Teeth: Wisdom teeth can push against your other teeth, causing noticeable misalignment, especially in the front teeth. Uneven Bite: One of the signs is experiencing discomfort or difficulty in closing your mouth. This might imply that your wisdom teeth are crowded into the surrounding teeth. Pain or Discomfort in the Back of the Mouth: Your wisdom teeth may cause some tenderness, swelling, or pain in the back of your mouth or jaw when erupting. Difficulty in Cleaning of Teeth: Overcrowded teeth create tight spaces that are not easy to clean, hence increasing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Gaps or Spaces Between the Teeth: If you notice your teeth shifting or gaps being formed between them, it may be due to the pressure from your wisdom teeth. Treatment Options for Crowding Due to Wisdom Teeth If the wisdom teeth are causing crowding, there are several options available to correct the crowding. Let's look at the most common options:
A. Monitoring and Observation Sometimes, the crowding due to the wisdom teeth is not too severe and may not necessitate immediate treatment. Your dentist may suggest monitoring the situation to see if the condition improves or worsens over time. Regular checkups will allow your dentist to track the growth of your wisdom teeth and determine whether any intervention is necessary.
B. Removal of Wisdom Teeth Sometimes the removal of wisdom teeth can prevent or even fix crowding brought about by them. When wisdom teeth come in crooked or stuck in your gums, then they can contribute to other teeth crowding. For this reason, extracting them might be necessary, especially in cases of other crowding potentialities or risk of other complications, including infections and cavities.
The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the common dental procedures, and a dentist or oral surgeon may recommend it to you. However, the procedure is ideally carried out before the full emergence of the wisdom teeth; hence, it is much easier and faster to recover from the surgery when these teeth are partially erupted or still unerupted.
C. Orthodontics for Realignment If crowding or malposition of teeth results from the eruption of third molars, then these may need to be brought back into proper alignment using orthodontic treatment. Brackets or clear aligners called Invisalign will gently move your teeth into optimal alignment.
Orthodontic treatment is done most of the time after removal of wisdom teeth to avoid any displacement of the newly formed orthodontic alignment. Although orthodontics takes time, it is a very efficient means of restoring a smile in line and improving your bite.
D. Other Alternative Remedies Besides the treatments above, there are other dental appliances that can be recommended to help alleviate the crowding of the wisdom teeth:
Retainers: After orthodontic treatment, retainers may be used to help keep teeth in their new positions and prevent future shifting. Space Maintainers: If wisdom teeth are being removed in younger patients, space maintainers may be used to hold open the space for the proper eruption of permanent teeth. The Benefits of Early Crowding Treatment of Wisdom Teeth Addressing crowding related to wisdom teeth early has several benefits not only for your appearance but also for your long-term oral health:
Prevention of Further Misalignment: Removing impacted wisdom teeth or early treatment of crowding will prevent your teeth from shifting any further, saving you more complex and costly treatments in the future. Improved Oral Hygiene: Crowded teeth create tight spaces that are challenging to clean, leading to plaque buildup and increased cavities. By addressing crowding, you can maintain better oral hygiene and prevent gum disease. Restoring Comfort and Function: The crowding that occurs with wisdom teeth makes it challenging to bite, chew, and speak comfortably. Early treatment will restore function to your bite and enhance comfort. Building Confidence: A straight, well-aligned smile is important for health, but also for confidence. The correction of misalignment from wisdom teeth will improve your smile and make you feel better about your appearance. When to see your dentist If you feel some of the symptoms of wisdom teeth crowding, then it is time to go see your dentist. The dentist will evaluate and see if your wisdom teeth are causing this problem. They will also explain what you should do about this condition depending on how crowded your teeth are and how healthy your wisdom teeth are.
In many cases, early intervention can prevent the problem from getting worse and help you avoid more extensive treatments down the road. Your dentist will also work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs and ensures the best possible outcome for your oral health.
Conclusion:
Trust Plumas Family Dentistry for Your Wisdom Teeth and Dental Care Needs At Plumas Family Dentistry in Yuba City, we understand that wisdom teeth and dental crowding can be a source of concern. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate care and helping you find the best solutions for your dental health. Whether you are in need of a consultation for wisdom teeth extraction, orthodontic treatment, or simply want to know how to best deal with crowding, we are here to help every step of the way.
If you are experiencing symptoms of crowding due to wisdom teeth or are experiencing discomfort, do not wait. Call Plumas Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options. We are here to help you achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles!
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