Wisdom Teeth & Crowded Front Teeth - Clarifying the Facts with Scientific Data

By Dr Tom Shumack, BSci (Syd. Uni), BDent (Hons) (Syd. Uni)Grad Dip Clin Dent (Oral Implants) (Syd.Uni) MRAACDS (PDS)

At Shumack Dental & Implants, we’re passionate about keeping our Wagga Wagga community informed and empowered when it comes to oral health.

One question we hear time and time again, especially from teens, young adults, and their parents,
“Do wisdom teeth cause the front teeth to become crooked?”

It’s easy to see why this myth has gained traction. Many people notice their lower front teeth becoming crowded in their late teens or early twenties — just as their wisdom teeth (third molars) begin to emerge. So, it seems natural to connect the two. But what does the research actually say?

The Big Myth: “Wisdom Teeth Push Teeth Forward”

For decades, the idea that wisdom teeth exert pressure on the rest of the teeth, leading to crowding, has circulated in both dental circles and everyday conversations. It’s a simple theory — but science has shown it’s not quite accurate.

What the Research Really Shows

A landmark randomised controlled trial (RCT) conducted by Harradine and colleagues in 1998 looked directly at this issue. Participants were split into two groups: those who had their wisdom teeth removed and those who didn’t. After years of careful observation, the study found no significant difference in front tooth crowding between the groups.

This wasn’t a one-off finding. More recent studies have backed this up:

- A 2023 study by Demirsoy et al. found no significant link between wisdom teeth and relapse of crowding after orthodontic treatment.
- A 2022 systematic review by Narmada et al. reviewed 11 studies, with 8 showing no link between wisdom teeth and crowding.
- A 2024 European study concluded that while other anatomical factors might influence crowding, wisdom teeth play only a very minor role, if any.

The bottom line? While wisdom teeth are often convenient scapegoats, the evidence just doesn’t support them as the cause of crowding.

So Why Do Teeth Shift Over Time?

Crowding — especially in the lower front teeth — is a natural part of the ageing process and can occur even in people who never develop wisdom teeth. Here are some common reasons:

- Natural growth and changes in jaw structure during late adolescence
- Age-related loss of bone or gum support
- Genetics, especially if you inherited a narrow jaw
- Normal drift and wear of teeth over time

What Do We Recommend at Shumack Dental?

At our Wagga Wagga clinic, we don’t recommend removing wisdom teeth purely to prevent crowding.

Instead, we look at the bigger picture. Wisdom teeth can still cause other issues and should be assessed individually. Reasons to consider removal include:

- Risk of infection or decay
- Impacted teeth (stuck under the gum or bone)
- Pain, swelling, or cyst formation
- Damage to nearby teeth or bone

We use advanced 3D imaging to assess your unique case and explain all the pros and cons in plain language. If your wisdom teeth are causing trouble — or have the potential to — we’ll walk you through your options with no pressure.

Still wondering about your wisdom teeth?

We’re always happy to help. Book a consultation with our team today and take the guesswork out of your dental health decisions.

Warm regards,
Dr Tom Shumack
Shumack Dental & Implants, Wagga Wagga