The question of whether wisdom teeth cause the face to widen is a common concern for people in their late teens and early twenties. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop, typically emerging between the ages of 17 and 25. This timing coincides with a period when people are finishing their physical maturation and becoming more aware of changes in their facial appearance. This persistent aesthetic worry needs to be examined from a biological and anatomical perspective.
The Scientific Consensus on Facial Width
The definitive scientific consensus is that the eruption of wisdom teeth does not cause a measurable, permanent widening of the skeletal structure of the face or jaw. The bony structures responsible for facial width largely complete their growth long before the third molars begin to emerge. The mandible, or lower jawbone, contains the gonial angles, which define the width of the lower face. The growth plates in this area are generally fused by the time a person reaches late adolescence, around age 16 for females and age 17 for males.
Any significant increase in the bi-gonial or bi-zygomatic width—the measurements defining the width of the jaw angle and cheekbones—is highly improbable due to the force of a tooth eruption. The jawbone is a rigid structure, and the forces exerted by an erupting tooth are primarily directed upward and slightly forward, not laterally. Studies tracking facial dimensions have consistently failed to establish a direct correlation between the presence or removal of wisdom teeth and a lasting change in the width of the face.
The alveolar bone, which holds the teeth, is the only area that experiences localized remodeling due to the tooth’s presence. This is a minor, internal change that does not expand the outer skeletal dimensions of the face. The temporary puffiness sometimes noticed during eruption is due to localized inflammation and swelling of the soft tissues, which resolves once the tooth emerges or is removed.
Dental Changes Caused by Wisdom Teeth
While wisdom teeth do not widen the face, they can cause significant changes within the dental arches. The most common issue is dental crowding, where the third molars attempt to erupt into a jaw that lacks sufficient space. This can put pressure on the second molars, which may then push the entire row of teeth forward.
The result is often a subtle or noticeable misalignment of the front teeth, which can change the look of a person’s smile and bite. This displacement of the anterior teeth is often what people interpret as a change in their overall facial structure or jawline. Impacted wisdom teeth, which are trapped beneath the gum line or bone, can also grow in at an angle, potentially damaging adjacent teeth or causing cysts to form in the jawbone.
These dental complications can also lead to changes in the bite, or occlusion, as the teeth shift out of alignment. Alterations to the bite can sometimes affect the way the jaw muscles function, potentially causing jaw pain or headaches. These effects are distinct from an actual lateral expansion of the facial skeleton.
Natural Maturation of the Jaw and Face
The perceived change in facial shape that often coincides with the eruption of wisdom teeth is attributed to the natural maturation process of the craniofacial skeleton. The jaw and face continue to undergo subtle remodeling well into early adulthood, a process independent of the third molars. This continued growth is primarily directed downward and forward, resulting in the elongation and definition associated with a more mature look.
The late teens and early twenties also bring changes in the soft tissues of the face. The masseter muscles, which are the large chewing muscles, can increase in size and definition due to factors like increased masticatory force or hormonal changes, especially in males. The growth of the masseter muscle can make the lower jaw angle appear more prominent or wider over time.
Additionally, the distribution of facial fat pads changes during this transition to adulthood, often leading to a loss of the rounder, “childlike” appearance. This redistribution can make the underlying skeletal contours, such as the jawline, appear more defined and prominent. These biological changes occur simultaneously with the arrival of the wisdom teeth, creating a misleading connection between the two events.