How can wisdom teeth affect orthodontic treatment?

Cause crowding: Wisdom teeth can cause crowding of the teeth and can limit the amount of space in the jaws. Sometimes they can prevent the 2nd molar from erupting.

They usually don't: Many studies have been done trying to find the answer to this question, and the predominant answer is none. However most patients do not have room for healthy wisdom teeth and they require removal to avoid future problems. Many patients experience lower crowding in the late teens and twenties but the happens with or without the presence of wisdom teeth.

Don't, except...: Third molars do not cause crowding in the front of the dental arches. It is true that if they 1/2 way erupt and cause an infection, it will slow down the treatment. They can impact the 12 yo molars and need early removal. There is a new technique: meaw which changes occlusal plane and by serially tipping back lower side and back teeth correct an underbite, this would be a reason for early removal.

Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth that are in a poor position, erupted or not, or literally have no room to come in eventually will need to be removed by an oral surgeon. Best to have this evaluated by your general dentist or orthodontist.

Greatly: They can push teeth, effect your bite. But it may not always be negative-- you need to discuss with your orthodontist.

Rarely : Wisdom teeth (3rd molars) rarely have an affect on orthodontic treatment. In some instances, the 3rd molar positions may inpinge on the eruption of the 2nd molars. There is no known research that proves wisdom teeth "push" or "move" the other teeth after orthodontic treatment. If a patient has the 3rd molars removed and does not wear retainers, the teeth can and will move.

Controversial: The relationship between wisdom teeth and crowding of the lower front teeth has been debated for many years, and it is still debated to this day. While it seems to make logical sense that a wisdom tooth angled towards the other teeth would have a pushing and crowding tendency, there is evidence that this may not in fact be completely true (j am dent assoc 123;8:75-79).

Wisdom teeth problem: If the posterior teeth are being moved backwards to make space to align the teeth, the wisdom teeth may be in the way. If the wisdom teeth are partially erupted, they may be a reservoir for bacteria, effecting periodontal disease. The trend is not to remove wisdom teeth unless there is an indication, especially after age 29.

Not much: Erupting wisdom teeth contribute about 10% to instability of orthodontically treated teeth. Teeth shift because of over-expansion, violation of biologic width, slipped contacts, uneven jaw growth, para-functional habits, failure to wear retainers as directed, lymphatic shrinkage, changes in soft tissue draw, and many other factors. See your Orthodontic Specialist and an Oral Surgeon for advice.