Invisalign before & after photos
78%
617 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Invisalign Cost $4,800 average cost

Should Impacted Wisdom Tooth Be Pulled Before Invisalign?

I have one wisdom tooth that is fully grown sideways underneath my gums on the bottom left. I have some crowding on the bottom center. I would like to find out how the impacted tooth will affect the treatment.

If I decide to have the wisdom tooth removed after the Invisalign treatment, will there be any shifting of teeth to its original position?

Asked 30 months ago by amyamj in NYC
Sort 6 expert answers by:
+1

Before or after treatment is OK for extractions

Impacted wisdom teeth can be removed before or after treatment with Invisalign. If, however, any of the wisdom teeth have erupted or come through the gum, they could in some cases adversely affect your bite or treatment with Invisalign. In this situation it may be prudent to have these wisdom teeth removed.
Matt T. Walton, DMD
Alpharetta Orthodontist
+1

Pulling out wisdom tooth before Invisalign will have no effect

The wisdom tooth or 3rd molar can be removed before or after treatment. It is really your choice. As far as any affect from removing the 3rd molar after invisalign treatment there will be none. The only shifting you may have will be a direct result from not following the retention guidelines your orthodontist prescribes after treatment is completed.
James J. Awbrey IV, DMD
Atlanta Orthodontist
+1

When to remove wisdom teeth before Invisalign

If the teeth are completely impacted (not coming through the gums at all), you may wait. If they are growing in at all, I prefer my patients have them out first. They could cause the teeth to move more slowly, and, more importantly, the gums around them could get infected during treatment, thereby causing you pain. It's not absolutely necessary, though.
Susan Goode Estep, DMD
Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Depends on the degree of the impaction

If the tooth is impacted and not wrapped around the nerve, it may be taken out before Invisalign. In most correctly treated Invisalign cases, the tooth movement is not that significant so before or after may not make a difference. It would be a cleaner way to extract it before. However, if it is sitting or is wrapped around a very important nerve in the mandible (inferior alveolar nerve), it may be contraindicated to ever take it out due to post extraction complications. Any... more
Anca Bazile, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Don't need to be concerned

Its been proven over time that the lower wisdom teeth don contribute much to the crookedness of your lower front teeth. I usually leave them in if they are not infected and challenging the molar in front of them. do Invisalign first and then wear retainers. The teeth cannot push thru the retainers back to their original position.
Michael J. Thomas, DDS
Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist
+1

Timing of extraction should be no problem

Whether extracting before or after Invisalign is a personal choice.  There is no right or wrong, and extracting afterwards likely won't have any affect on the outcome.  However, nothing is 100%, so if you are very concerned, then simply have the tooth out now and put the odds in your favor.
Lance Timmerman, DMD
Seattle Cosmetic Dentist
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.