Crowding of the lower front teeth is a common problem for adults, regardless of whether they have undergone orthodontic treatment during their youth. Around the time when crowding begins to develop, wisdom teeth also start to erupt. For this reason, it has often been suggested that the eruption of wisdom teeth, or third molars as they are called in professional literature, is a cause of this crowding, claiming that as wisdom teeth erupt, they push other teeth, leading to crowding.
Research conducted in 1961 by Bergstrom & Jensen found that patients who had wisdom teeth on only one side showed more crowding on that side. Later, in 1982, another study showed that removing wisdom teeth from one side reduced crowding on that side in 70% of patients compared to the side where wisdom teeth were present. These findings point to wisdom teeth removal as a potential solution for crowding.
However, other studies found no significant link between third molars and crowding. These studies compared patients who had orthodontic treatment with or without wisdom teeth and concluded that crowding occurs regardless of third molar presence and does not significantly influence tooth position changes after orthodontics.
A comprehensive review published in 2020 found only a minimal change of about 1mm in crowding after wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it concluded that removing wisdom teeth solely to prevent crowding is not justified.
In summary, many factors contribute to crowding in adults, including diet, jaw growth, tooth shape, and orthodontic treatment techniques. To prevent or treat lower incisor crowding, a thorough examination by Dr. Daniel Kaufman is essential. Please feel free to contact us for advice regarding your wisdom teeth and crowding concerns. We will gladly assess your wisdom teeth position and discuss any risk of front teeth crowding.