Wisdom Teeth Cause Crowding - Fact or Fiction?

Will the wisdom teeth cause crowding or relapse when they come in?
This is one of the most common questions from parents of younger patients in our initial consultations. Despite popular belief, wisdom teeth do not contribute to the crowding of the front teeth in adulthood.  Wisdom teeth often need removing for many reasons, however studies show that extraction of the wisdom teeth or third molars exclusively for the purpose of preventing crowding of the incisors (front teeth) is not warranted. Human teeth naturally drift forward in our mouths over time and when your teeth are not ideally aligned, crowding occurs.

So if it isn't the wisdom teeth, then why do the teeth often start getting crooked around 17, 18 or 19 years of age?
Orthodontists believe that there are several factors that come into play.  First, as the teeth begin to wear the bite deepens in front (the teeth overlap more). This allows the back surface of the upper teeth to press down on the fronts of the lowers pushing them towards the tongue. This deepening of the bite also causes extra wear on the lower front teeth in some patients.
The second factor is what orthodontists call late residual growth. In common terms, there is a slight amount of lower jaw growth that happens in the late teens or early 20s that forces the teeth slightly forward and upward into the back of the upper teeth. The result is added pressure that crowds previously straight teeth.

What are the reasons wisdom teeth should be removed?
Wisdom teeth often do not have sufficient room to erupt and become totally or partially impacted, and unless other teeth need to be removed for orthodontic reasons, they are not useful, functioning teeth in chewing. In these situations they should be evaluated for extraction.

What is the key to keeping the teeth straight?
Although there are other reasons for removing your wisdom teeth, keeping your teeth straight shouldn't be the main concern.  Research indicates that long-term retainer wear or lingual wires are the only "sure thing". Keeping your teeth straight after braces requires wearing your retainers for as long as you want them to stay straight!