Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Archives for October 2023

Can the wire in my teeth be removed?

Fixed Retainers After Orthodontic Treatment

Many people have a small wire attached behind their teeth after finishing orthodontic treatment. These wires are called fixed retainers. In most patients, they help keep the teeth in their new positions because teeth often try to move back after braces or aligner treatment.

How Long Should Fixed Retainers Stay In Place?

A fixed retainer usually stays in place for several years after orthodontic treatment. It should not be removed until growth has finished — usually around age 20 for women and 25 for men. Once growth is complete, Dr. Daniel Kaufman can check whether your fixed retainer is still needed.

When Should a Fixed Retainer Be Removed?

There are several reasons you might need to remove a fixed retainer:

Common Reasons for Retainer Removal

• The retainer wire has fractured or come loose
• The wire has bent or become distorted
• Teeth have started to move even though the wire looks fine
• There is a higher risk of gum disease
• Food gets trapped around the wire, causing inflammation

What Happens If the Retainer Is Removed?

If the wire is removed without another retainer, teeth may start to shift again. To find out whether your upper or lower fixed retainer should be removed, book an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman. We will examine your fixed retainer and explain whether it is still necessary or if adjustments are required to keep your smile healthy and stable.

 

Do wisdom tooth eruption lead to crowded teeth?

Crowding of the lower front teeth is a common problem for adults, regardless of whether they have undergone orthodontic treatment during their youth. Around the time when crowding begins to develop, wisdom teeth also start to erupt. For this reason, it has often been suggested that the eruption of wisdom teeth, or third molars as they are called in professional literature, is a cause of this crowding, claiming that as wisdom teeth erupt, they push other teeth, leading to crowding.

Research conducted in 1961 by Bergstrom & Jensen found that patients who had wisdom teeth on only one side showed more crowding on that side. Later, in 1982, another study showed that removing wisdom teeth from one side reduced crowding on that side in 70% of patients compared to the side where wisdom teeth were present. These findings point to wisdom teeth removal as a potential solution for crowding.

However, other studies found no significant link between third molars and crowding. These studies compared patients who had orthodontic treatment with or without wisdom teeth and concluded that crowding occurs regardless of third molar presence and does not significantly influence tooth position changes after orthodontics.

A comprehensive review published in 2020 found only a minimal change of about 1mm in crowding after wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it concluded that removing wisdom teeth solely to prevent crowding is not justified.

In summary, many factors contribute to crowding in adults, including diet, jaw growth, tooth shape, and orthodontic treatment techniques. To prevent or treat lower incisor crowding, a thorough examination by Dr. Daniel Kaufman is essential. Please feel free to contact us for advice regarding your wisdom teeth and crowding concerns. We will gladly assess your wisdom teeth position and discuss any risk of front teeth crowding.