Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Crowding Of Other Teeth
By your early teenage years, you should have all your permanent teeth except for the four molars, which will wait until you are slightly older before they erupt. Normally, these infamous wisdom teeth emerge between the age of 17 and 25. However, they do not always get the warmest welcome. Most people wonder why wisdom teeth erupt, and yet there isn’t enough room for them. One of the most popular theory is that wisdom teeth evolved because of our ancient ancestor’s coarse diet. But, in these modern days, it is out with tough roots and leaves and in with soft cooked foods.
For quite some time, the relationship between wisdom teeth and crowding of the lower front teeth has been debated. Consequently, some orthodontists, oral surgeons, and general dentists recommend removal of wisdom teeth as a way of preventing and safeguarding against recurrence of crowding after the orthodontic procedure. However, there is a large and well-documented body of research evidence which disapproves of the theory that wisdom teeth exert enough pressure to cause the shifting of the front teeth. Research studies tracking patients for over 25 years have found out that teeth naturally drift forward over time, regardless of whether or not orthodontic treatment was done or if wisdom teeth are still intact.
So, why do our teeth move over time?
We often see patients’ whose upper and lower front teeth changes in position in their late teens or as young adults. Some of these patients had well-aligned teeth before, and it is easy to assume that wisdom teeth caused these changes as this is the time they emerge. However, there are many other possible reasons as for why your teeth could shift in their position. Your teeth are held in living and changing jaw bone, rather than set in concrete. So, the position of the teeth can be affected by any or combinations of factors such as:
- Changes in the elasticity of the cheeks and lips, or pressure from the lips
- Late lower jaw growth, which can cause inward tipping of the lower front teeth
- Lose of gum tissues or bony support for the teeth through gum disease and infections.
Reasons for extracting wisdom teeth
As much as wisdom teeth are not directly associated with crowding of other teeth, there are still many other important reasons as to why you should extract them. Some of them include:
- Cleaning difficulty in the area of the impacted wisdom teeth, which can result in extensive tooth decay or gum disease
- Ongoing gum infections around the wisdom tooth
- The possibility of associated cysts
- Damage to the nearby teeth and throbbing pain
Bottom Line
So, if you are concerned about your crooked teeth, the best thing you should do is to seek advice from well qualified and experienced dentists- like us. Our dentists in Melbourne will monitor your condition and make recommendations for your treatment based on individual circumstances. Feel free to contact our dental office or schedule an appointment for more information about wisdom teeth extraction.