Can wisdom teeth cause crooked teeth after braces?

Question

When I was about fifteen, I learned that I needed braces because my mouth was very small. Both my top and my bottom teeth were horribly crooked. For braces to even help, I had to have one tooth removed. After two years of braces, (and an *** of an orthodontist), my teeth were almost completely straight, so I had my braces removed. I have always been obsessed with my teeth, so I made sure to wear my retainers as directed. Unfortunately, as months went by, it became increasingly difficult to put my retainers in. Out of curiosity, I felt around in my mouth, only to find that all four of my wisdom teeth were growing in simultaneously. In other words, I now had three more teeth than I had before getting braces. I kept trying to shove my retainer in, but no success. My teeth began reverting back to their original positions despite my persistence.

I would like to know if my wisdom teeth could have caused my teeth to become crooked? I have Googled it, but apparently studies have shown that wisdom teeth don't have that much of an impact... Most people blame severe shifting to negligence, but as previously stated, I did as I was told, so I don't buy it. 

Also, this may be a tad unrelated, but do you think insurance would cover a second set, considering everything?

rowlfe · Accepted Answer

Approximately 1 in 4 will have wisdom teeth that do not come in straight, which MAY result in displacement of the back molars. Only if they cause a problem should they be removed. Mine came in at a 45 degree angle right into the back molars, so they had to go. 20 to 30 years ago, it was a routine thing to extract wisdom teeth simply because they MIGHT cause a problem, but today, it is such that they only come out if they actually DO cause a problem. Since you are getting your wisdom teeth, OF COURSE you need a new retainer which is adjusted to fit the new structures behind your molars. Common sense...

? · Answer

Wisdom Teeth After Braces

Shay · Answer

Get the wisdom teeth out ASAP.  If you get them out quickly, then have a new retainer made, the shifting may not be bad enough to force you into a new set of braces.  (the new retainer would adapt to your teeth's new state as of now, but prevent them from getting any worse.)

Yes, the wisdom teeth can cause your other teeth to move or shift over time.

As for insurance, it should cover the removal of the wisdom teeth, but it would depend on the other coverage if it would cover doing new braces again.  It is unlikely that they would cover braces again, but every policy is a little different.

? · Answer

Unless the wisdom teeth are causing great problems i'd leave them cause as you age unless you are perfect in your eating habbits dental decay & root canals can mean you lose teeth so when that happens the crowding ceases. It's up to you but i had braces in my teens and now at 49 i've lost a lot of teeth due to decay & wish i had more teeth. When they're gone they're gone ime So just relax but i agree a new retainer the best option

Balooni · Answer

Yes wisdom teeth can shift your teeth. I had to have mine pulled because they pushed my teeth forward.

? · Answer

YES, mine did, and now I'm a "snaggletooth" but I don't mind. Its just another part of who I am that makes me unique.

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Can wisdom teeth cause crooked teeth after braces?

6 Answers