Does Normal Teeth Alignment Change After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth are third molars that usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. This emergence causes the wisdom teeth to exert pressure on the other teeth and cause issues such as misalignment, overlapping, overcrowding and discomfort. A visit to the dentist to have the wisdom teeth removed will normally be required to eliminate these dental issues. However, you might be wondering, does the extraction of wisdom teeth cause misalignment with the rest of your teeth? The quick answer is no.

If you want to learn more about wisdom tooth extraction and whether or not it changes normal teeth alignment, then please keep on reading.

The Purpose of a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

A wisdom tooth extraction is meant to treat several different dental problems that are often linked to teeth misalignment. Some signs of misalignment that the wisdom tooth extraction process is meant to address include the following:

• Unaligned bite
• Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
• Tenderness in the jaw, especially when biting down or chewing
• Pressure, discomfort or pain in the teeth due to overcrowding
• Pain in or around the ear
• Clicking or popping sound in the jaw while opening or closing the jaw or while chewing
• Mild to severe pain in the face

Can teeth move after wisdom tooth extraction? Removing wisdom teeth does not cause the other teeth to shift, but it can relieve pressure caused by the wisdom tooth on the other teeth. As wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, they cannot really cause alignment changes once they are removed.

Misalignment Misconceptions

Although wisdom tooth extraction does not cause your teeth to become misaligned, it can cause minor shifts, which many people mistake as a misalignment sensation. It’s common that teeth or gums feel weird after wisdom tooth extraction, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for misalignment.

For example, once the wisdom teeth are removed, there is more space in your mouth. As such, your teeth may move slightly due to the fact that there is no more pressure exerted on them by the wisdom teeth. However, your teeth will not drastically shift to the point that they create large gaps and spaces in between.

Essentially, your teeth will just be shifting back to their original position before pressure was exerted on them by the wisdom teeth. They are not necessarily misaligning themselves. So if you’re wondering “will my teeth shift after wisdom tooth extraction?”, the answer is no.

Overbites and underbites are other issues that are caused by jaw misalignment. This means it is not possible for an upper or lower wisdom tooth extraction to cause an overbite or an underbite to form.

The same concept for overbites and underbites applies to crossbites. Wisdom teeth cannot cause them, but after top and bottom wisdom teeth removal, many people feel they might have the sensation of a crossbite because the slight shift in teeth makes them feel that the teeth do not align as they did before. However, this is not a misalignment problem.

Impacted teeth are another common occurrence that is caused by wisdom teeth. This occurs when teeth do not break through the gum line due to a lack of space in the mouth, which can result in a wisdom tooth growing sideways towards the cheek. This misalignment will be corrected through a wisdom tooth extraction, not caused by it.

In addition, misalignment issues cause some teeth to take the majority of the bite force. However, once the wisdom teeth are removed, your teeth will become relieved of pressure. If you’ve been wanting to know “can removing wisdom teeth change your bite?”, the answer is yes, as the force of your bite can become more evenly spread across your teeth. This causes a strange sensation of teeth shifting after wisdom teeth removal and is why some people feel as though the alignment of their teeth has changed.

So while removing your wisdom teeth does not change the alignment of your teeth, you will definitely feel a difference in how your jaw or bite fits together. Your teeth will be much better off without the added pressure!

Other Wisdom Teeth FAQs

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are vestigial third molars that were useful to our ancestors who had larger jaws and needed extra teeth for grinding down plant material. As human diets and jaw sizes have evolved, these teeth have become less necessary and often cause crowding or other dental issues.

Where is the wisdom tooth located?

Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, with one in each corner of the upper and lower jaws. They are the last set of molars to emerge, typically appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Can wisdom teeth change direction?

Yes, wisdom teeth can change direction as they grow. They may become impacted or misaligned, growing sideways, angled towards or away from the second molars, or even remaining trapped within the jawbone.

Does removing wisdom teeth change face shape?

Removing wisdom teeth generally does not change the shape of your face. However, in cases where the teeth were causing significant swelling or infection, the removal might result in a subtle reduction of any associated puffiness.

How long for wisdom teeth to heal?

The initial healing period after wisdom teeth removal typically takes about one to two weeks, but complete healing of the jawbone can take several months. During the first few days, you may experience swelling and discomfort, which gradually subsides.

Will my teeth straighten after wisdom teeth extraction?

Removing wisdom teeth does not automatically straighten your teeth. While it can prevent further crowding, especially in the back of the mouth, orthodontic treatment is usually required to align teeth properly.

What does wisdom tooth extraction recovery involve?

It is important to allow your mouth to have some recovery time after a wisdom tooth extraction. This will give your teeth some time to settle and adjust after having endured all the pressure exerted by the wisdom tooth.

Normal conditions after a wisdom tooth extraction may include discomfort and swelling of the gums, which may feel like the teeth have shifted. However, once the swelling has gone away, your bite will return back to normal again. Usually, a full recovery period will take about 2 weeks or sometimes up to 4 weeks, but this will be different for everyone.

Final Thoughts

As we can see from above, having your wisdom teeth extracted shouldn’t have an impact on normal teeth alignment. If you have your wisdom teeth extracted, it may take a few weeks for your mouth and teeth to adjust, but after that, things should go back to normal.

If you are searching for a dental clinic in the Cranbourne area to have your wisdom teeth extracted, or for any other dental procedure, then look no further than Shine Dental Group. Our trusted dentist offers a full array of dental services to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth.

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 5995 9789.