Can Wisdom Teeth Make the Front Teeth Move?

Posted on: August 21st, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

One of the most common prevailing concepts regarding wisdom teeth is that they push the teeth in front of them, causing them to crowd. This was firmly believed for quite some time, which is why many orthodontists, general dentists, and oral surgeons recommended the removal of wisdom teeth, in order to safeguard against teeth crowding, especially after an orthodontic treatment. However, this preventive measure is no longer required, and teeth crowding has little to do with the existence of wisdom teeth.

There is a wealth of documented evidence that disapprove the theory that wisdom teeth can have any effect on the movement of the teeth, thus cause crowding. They simply cannot exert the pressure demanded to do that. Studies have shown that, regardless of the presence of wisdom teeth, teeth will drift forward naturally, throughout life. Over the years, teeth move slightly forward, and the distance between the lower canines gets narrower. This can occur even if you have had your wisdom teeth removed.

Why Do Teeth Get Crowded?

Modern research has revealed that teeth crowding can be inherited or it can be the outcome of particular habits, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing, among others. It could also be attributed to late tooth loss or injury. Of the many reasons that lead to incorrect jaw development (and, consequently, to improper facial and dental development), nothing has to do with phenomena caused by wisdom teeth.

As per what affects the development of teeth crowding, it seems that there are several factors that play a significant role and are associated with the:

  • Tooth Size
  • Tooth Shape
  • Original Position of the Teeth.
  • Soft Tissue Pressures that change from lip and tongue posture.

Here at Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham, we see many adults that come to our practice, who had relatively straight teeth when they were younger, to correct new crowding that has occurred, mainly in their lower teeth. Although the exact mechanisms that such a thing occurs are not yet fully understood, wisdom teeth are usually not related, at least not directly.

Should Wisdom Teeth be Extracted?

There is no evidence dictating the extraction of wisdom teeth unless they are impacted and have no room to erupt correctly. Also, it is wise to remove wisdom teeth if they cause dental problems, such as tooth decay (when it’s difficult to brush and floss properly), pericoronitis (infection that occurs around the lower 3rd molars that have been partially erupted),  cysts around the impacted 3rd molar, tissue and bone defects behind the 2nd molars, and root resorption of 2nd molars. Of course, your dentist will assess your case and decide whether wisdom teeth removal is necessary or not.

Important Note: To prevent teeth from moving, it is crucial you wear a retainer after the completion of an orthodontic treatment to help keep your teeth straight. Wear them as instructed and your teeth will not move a bit, regardless of the presence of wisdom teeth.

Have more questions about tooth crowding, wisdom teeth extraction, or any other dental-related issue? Book your first FREE consultation here or get your FREE Straight Teeth Guide to get some first answers quickly!

The Best Ways To Make Your Smile Stick

Posted on: July 31st, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

If you have recently completed your straightening treatment, having worn braces for many months, you will be relieved when they are finally taken off, and you have the pleasure of your new smile unencumbered by brackets, wires or aligners.  The Straight Teeth Suite  explains the need for retainers, how they work, and how they will keep you smiling.

Which Retainer?

There are three types of retainer:

  • Your best option is a fixed retainer worn indefinitely to hold your teeth permanently in their new position.  A fixed retainer is a discreet wire bonded to the back of your teeth where it can’t be seen.  It is comfortably positioned, and you will soon forget it is there.
  • A removable retainer, worn at night, will help prevent your teeth from moving.  This is essential in the early weeks following removal of your braces, and you need to adopt the habit of wearing it regularly.  The plastic vacuum formed retainer is moulded from impressions of your straightened teeth and worn to hold your teeth in place. Without your retainer, your teeth will undoubtedly move.
  • The most cautious option is a combination of both a fixed and removable brace.  The removable brace is worn at night, two or three times a week to be certain your teeth will not move.

Why you need to Wear a Retainer

  1. A retainer keeps your teeth in their new position.
  2. Teeth need time to fuse in place.
  3. Without a retainer teeth can move back into their old position.
  4. The forces of biting and chewing put more pressure on your teeth.
  5. If you lose, or gain, weight and age, your face will change shape putting pressure on your teeth.
  6. Some patients are prone to grinding their teeth when asleep, and these constant forces can damage your teeth.

Before considering braces to straighten your teeth, you need to know the importance of committing to life with a retainer.  After all, you don’t want anything to dent your smile and burst your bubble, so think of your retainer as the protector of your new smile.

Anything we haven’t covered on retainers? Post your comment below and we’ll make sure to answer.

A Guide to How We Straighten Just 2 or 4 Crooked Teeth

Posted on: January 30th, 2018 by freshadmin 2 Comments

A lot of patients we see only have a few crooked teeth that they are unhappy with and they do not always need lengthy or complex brace treatment to achieve a confident, attractive smile. Sometimes just a simple adjustment, concentrating on just the two or four front teeth will give you the smile you dream of.  There are many options available for braces with the Straight Teeth Suite in Loughborough, and our experienced dentists will guide you in making the best choice.

There are many options available for braces with the Straight Teeth Suite and our experienced dentists will guide you in making the best choice.

Perhaps your two front top teeth, your incisors, project slightly, or you have a wide gap in between the teeth.  A brace will bring these back in line in a relatively short amount of time and, with the help of a retainer, they will stay in place giving you a lifelong, beautiful smile.

In some cases, both the top two teeth and the bottom two teeth are misaligned.  Both top and bottom teeth can be repositioned. Sometimes the top and bottom teeth can be straightened at the same time, and sometimes it is better to concentrate on straightening each arch independently as it will be more comfortable for you.

Straightening Choices

INMAN ALIGNERS

The Inman Aligner, often known as the wonder brace, is a removable brace.  The Inman Aligner has Nickel Titanium coil springs that power two aligner bows that gently oppose each other, guiding the teeth into their new position. These gentle forces are active over a  large range of movements, which is why the Inman Aligner works so quickly. Within just twelve to sixteen weeks if worn as advised.  This brace can address and correct the front two to four teeth. We tend to recommend one jaw at a time because it can feel quite bulky.

The 5 Fascinating Truths of Wisdom Teeth and Braces in Leicester

Posted on: April 13th, 2016 by freshadmin No Comments

Wisdom teeth, whether they come in your teens or later in life, are often thought to cause problems, including overcrowding of teeth.  The result of a recent study on wisdom teeth concluded whether or not you have wisdom teeth, crowding can occur. By drawing a comparison, assessing the front, lower teeth in many patients,  the research team deduced crowding is not solely the result of your wisdom teeth erupting.  The Straight Teeth Suite in Leicester will help you with your overcrowded smile and wisdom teeth with a few fascinating truths.

The Myth Of Wisdom Teeth

We often see patients who say,

“I had lovely straight teeth before my wisdom teeth came through,”

And we see patients with overcrowded smiles and no wisdom teeth.  The fact is your teeth can move and crowding occur for no apparent reason.  

Preventing Teeth From Moving

If you’ve got lovely straight teeth, the only way of preventing crowding from occurring in the first place is to have a retainer. A retainer, made to custom fit, will prevent the shifting of the teeth.  A retainer will need to be worn on a regular basis to ensure your teeth don’t move. With a retainer, you don’t need to have wisdom teeth removed to keep your teeth straight.

Removing Wisdom Teeth

Whether or not your teeth move and become overcrowded, there are other good reasons to remove wisdom teeth.  They might be causing pain, decay or infection and, for your health’s sake and to avoid risk to other healthy teeth, you are better off without them.  Whereas we do not extract wisdom teeth to prevent crowding, as this is a myth, we will remove them to enable other teeth to rotate and move in a particular way. Simple extractions are carried out painlessly in the clinic. More complex cases might require surgery.

How Do I Straighten My Teeth?

The Straight Teeth Suite have the solution for everyone who wants to achieve straight teeth. Age is not a barrier to a more confident, beautiful smile.  We will make a full diagnosis and advise you as to whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be extracted before braces are fitted.  Depending on your diagnosis, and whether your particular case is complex or simple, you will be offered a choice of a brace.  Your teeth, with the guidance of the brace will gently move into their desired position and a retainer will keep them in place forever.

Which Brace?

We offer a selection of braces which all effectively straighten your teeth and give you a great smile.  Depending on your diagnosis and your choice, we will fit:

Damon Braces.   Unlike traditional braces Damon braces include a small sliding door into which the wire is securely inserted, eliminating the need for elastics. This special design allows the teeth to slide smoothly, without friction, and with reduced force.  These braces have many significant advantages, including shorter treatment times, fewer adjustment appointments, less discomfort, less need for teeth to be extracted and no tightening, since elastics are not used. Damon Clear  offer further discretion as they are barely noticeable.

Lingual Braces.  Lingual braces are totally inconspicuous as they are fixed to the reverse side of your teeth, where they can’t be seen, and they are more comfortable. Treatment times vary, depending on complexity, and they can take three months in simple cases and longer in more complex ones.

Accelerated Removable Braces/Inman Aligner . Inman Aligners straighten the front four teeth and is really quick. Some cases can be completed in as little as ten weeks. The aligner consists of a clear, removable brace with a bar at the front of the teeth and one at the back and has to be worn nearly all day and night.

Clear Aligners.  Invisible braces either Invisalign or Smilelign consist of a series of custom made removable clear plastic trays which you change every few weeks until the movement, and desired position of the teeth, has been achieved. There are many types of invisible braces, but we use the best available, custom made to fit.  

Six Month Braces. Six months braces utilise clear braces that are attached to your teeth with a tooth coloured wire to straighten gently and realign teeth in an average time of just six months.

To help dispel the myths about wisdom teeth and braces we compiled this blog. If we have missed anything out please comment below and we will be sure to answer your questions.