Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Change Face Shape? The Truth Explained

It is one of the most common queries that people have is “Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Change Face Shape?”. After all, a person’s face contributes to his or her unique appearance and the thought that a particular dental procedure will cause any changes in this regard is bound to be disconcerting. 

At our clinic located in Cranbourne, we get asked this question before our patients undergo wisdom tooth extraction. It goes: “Does my third molor tooth extraction Change Face Shape?” The short answer to this is that it won’t permanently change how you look but there are certain temporary alterations that may occur during the process of recovery and there are some cases too which are largely found on social media that need clarification.

Here are all of these aspects explained in detail along with some facts surrounding this issue.

First: What Are Wisdom Teeth and Where Are They Located?

Wisdom teeth refer to your third molars, the last set of teeth in your entire life cycle that form right at the very rear end of your mouth. Most people experience their emergence from the age of 17 through to 25 years. However, it’s worth noting that there are some people who don’t grow any wisdom tooth in their life cycles.

The location of these teeth makes them irrelevant in defining your facial structure, which is why your dentist in Cranbourne may suggest their removal. For starters, wisdom teeth locate themselves at the rear end of the jaw, far away from the elements of your face including the cheekbones, mid-part and front portion of the jaw bone as well as your chin.

In addition, it’s worth noting that the majority of patients experience impaction of wisdom teeth, making them a great reason for their extraction.

Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Change Face Shape? The Direct Answer

No, extraction of wisdom teeth won’t cause any change in the shape of your face forever.

The shape of your face depends on the genetic constitution of your face, bone structure of your face, deposition of fatty tissues in your face, and the movement of jaw muscles like masseter muscles. Wisdom teeth sit in a separate portion of the jawbone known as alveolus. Alveolus is a region in which tooth sockets reside inside the jaws. It is distinct from the rest of the jawbone, which determines the basic shape of your face.

According to a 2023 study conducted in BMC Oral Health, the facial shape remains unchanged in adults when assessed through three-dimensional imagery after undergoing wisdom tooth extraction procedure. There is, however, some bone reduction locally due to natural socket resorption, but the overlying facial tissue of the cheek region covers it. This means that there will be no visible change in the overall facial structure.

So, there won’t be any visible change in your face after wisdom teeth extraction surgery.

What Changes Are Temporary After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

However, even though the end result will not affect your appearance, there are some natural occurrences that you may want to know about before undergoing your procedure in Cranbourne:

Swelling:

Swelling is the most obvious occurrence after surgery. This happens due to fluid and white blood cells traveling to the affected areas as a response to injury. For most people, this swelling will develop over 48 to 72 hours after the procedure, reaching its maximum on the second or third day and then fading over the next week.

When the swelling reaches its maximum, you might find yourself looking like you have puffy cheeks. You will temporarily look like someone else until your swelling decreases.

Bruising:

For certain people, especially those who are likely to bruise, the discolouring of skin near the cheek and jaw areas may occur. This may range from yellow to green, and then from blue to purple over the course of one or two weeks.

Jaw Stiffness (Trismus)

Mouth closure within the first few days following a wisdom tooth extraction is common, caused by swelling and muscle tightness in the jaw. This can create temporary changes in your chewing pattern and even alter your facial appearance while chewing and talking, although it is only temporary.

Temporary Weight Change:

Since most patients choose soft foods and reduce their intake of food after an extraction, temporary weight change may occur. The weight change may alter your appearance for a few weeks, irrespective of any procedures from the dentist.

The ‘Slimmer Face’ Claim: What the Evidence Says

A recurring myth that exists within Tiktok and YouTube spaces is that removing one’s wisdom teeth will make the person appear to have slimmer or more chiseled cheeks. This is why certain people choose wisdom tooth extraction for aesthetic purposes.

No science backs up this theory. Your facial width and chiseling result from the structure of your jaw bone and masseter muscles which lie right in front of your ears; wisdom teeth, which lie at the farthest posterior end of your mouth, don’t affect them in any way whatsoever. There is no change brought about in the structure of your muscles or jawbones.

It could possibly be true that when you get rid of the swollen area caused by an infected tooth and reduce the overall inflammation, your face looks a little different than before. This isn’t because there is a structural difference created, however; merely because the inflammation subsided after removal of wisdom teeth.

If you are considering wisdom tooth extraction, you must do it only for clinical reasons.

Will My Teeth Shift After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

This is an independent but related issue that we commonly deal with at our Cranbourne clinic, where patients are concerned about how taking out back teeth leaves a gap leading to the other teeth moving.

Minor shifting of teeth as a result of wisdom tooth removal is common and expected. The surrounding teeth might make minor shifts within the weeks after extraction. This shifting process, however, is usually unnoticeable in the majority of cases. In some cases, there can be observable shifting. This might happen especially when the wisdom teeth had been offering structural stability before being removed. This could also happen if there was already some instability within the teeth bite.

What is important to know is that the misconception about wisdom teeth leading to crowding among the front teeth, thereby requiring their removal to correct the problem, is not scientifically proven. According to the advice from the Australian Dental Association, impacted third molars are not considered to be responsible for crowded front teeth. There are many reasons for orthodontic relapse after braces treatment.

Wisdom Tooth Removal in Cranbourne: What to Expect

Wisdom teeth removal at Shine Dental Group Cranbourne are performed under local anaesthesia with sedation options where necessary. This process can range in complexity based on whether the tooth has already erupted or is impacted, and your dentist will explain all aspects of the treatment process during your consultation.

Post-surgery, your dentist will provide you with detailed after-care advice. Adhering strictly to this advice, such as using an ice pack for the first 24 hours, eating soft foods, not drinking from straws, gently cleaning the area, and resting, helps to reduce the level of swelling significantly.

There is no standard recovery period, but most people are able to get back to their daily routines within three to five days. Recovery periods may differ for more complicated surgeries but are still generally quite short. Although full healing of the bone tissue usually takes several months after the extraction, there will be no noticeable change in your facial appearance.

When to Contact Your Dentist After Wisdom Tooth Removal

• Whereas most recoveries go smoothly, please contact the dentist in Cranbourne in case you experience any of the following:
• Swelling that gets worse beyond day three rather than subsiding
• Persistent and unrelenting pain that cannot be alleviated with the prescribed analgesics — it could be a case of dry socket (alveolar osteitis), in which the protective clot covering the tooth socket becomes displaced
• A fever or chills
• Presence of pus or foul-smelling discharge coming from the tooth socket
• Problems breathing or swallowing
• Excessive or persistent bleeding

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does wisdom teeth removal permanently change face shape?

No. Wisdom teeth removal will not affect the shape of your face for a long time because your facial structure depends on bone, muscle, and fat, not on wisdom teeth. All the changes in your face are only temporary and can be attributed to swelling and bruises that you may have from surgery. These changes will disappear completely within one to two weeks after surgery.

Q2: Will my face look swollen after wisdom tooth removal in Cranbourne?

Yes. Swelling after extraction is normal. The swelling will reach its maximum level 48 to 72 hours after surgery and will decrease considerably within five to seven days. Using cold compresses on your cheeks during the first 24 hours and sleeping with your head elevated can minimize swelling.

Q3: Can wisdom tooth removal make your face look slimmer?

This is another social media assertion without any scientific evidence to back it up. The shape and contours of the lower face result from the muscle mass present and the bone structure of the jaw. It does not depend on wisdom teeth at all, which is why wisdom teeth extraction can never be recommended for reshaping purposes.

Q4: Will my teeth shift after wisdom tooth removal?

It is perfectly possible for some movement of the teeth to occur in the period after wisdom tooth extraction, though it is unlikely to be significant. There is no scientific evidence to back up the claim that wisdom teeth extraction can lead to tooth crowding in the upper or lower arches.

Q5: How long does swelling last after wisdom tooth removal?

In general, the swelling usually reaches its peak between the second and third days, then starts to go down by the end of the first week. Mild swelling may last for up to two weeks. Complete healing usually occurs within two weeks following the operation.

Q6: Is wisdom tooth removal painful in Cranbourne?

The actual extraction process takes place under local anesthesia; thus, you will be able to sense pressure and motion but no pain when the tooth is extracted. Post-extraction discomfort is generally controllable through OTC pain medication in non-complicated scenarios. The dentist in Cranbourne will provide guidance on managing pain according to your needs.