Wisdom teeth can often be a problem for orthodontists and often patients ask whether orthodontic treatment can prevent the wisdom tooth from being extracted. If a wisdom tooth comes in at the right position and does not cause any problems with dental hygiene, cavities or alignment of teeth then there is no need to extract.  

Most patients ask if the wisdom tooth comes in at an angle can't it be corrected through orthodontics? In such cases there is no need to correct the wisdom tooth through orthodontics as there is no fundamental function of the wisdom teeth. In the majority of cases wisdom teeth do not come in correctly and can often cause problems such as impacting teeth and overcrowding.

Though there are cases where the wisdom tooth is preserved this is when the molars is damaged and requires extraction. In such a case the orthodontist can use the wisdom teeth to replace the function of the molars. Through the use of orthodontic treatment the orthodontist can shift the wisdom teeth into the position where the molars were.

If patients were to follow through with this treatment then they would have to be prepared that the length of treatment time would require at least 2 to 3 years. Also the treatment can be unsuccessful. Therefore, whether wisdom teeth need extracting or be preserved will depend on your situation and the advice of a professional orthodontist when creating a treatment plan.