Did you notice the difference in your face shape before and after wisdom teeth removal? Or just heard some people change the shape of their faces after wisdom teeth surgery? Many patients are wondering if wisdom teeth extraction can really change the form of their faces. Because of that, most of them hesitate to undergo this treatment. So, if you are worried about the possible change in your face, better to consult a medical professional about this. You can tell them about the structural issues you have, and at the same time, they discuss the possible treatment to address your concern. In this article, you learn about wisdom tooth extraction surgery, including its health benefits and side effects on your facial structure.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction surgery is a procedure to eliminate one or more wisdom teeth. Usually, this procedure occurs because of an impacted wisdom tooth. This is a condition where your mouth 
does not have enough space for wisdom teeth to emerge, causing pain, infection, or other dental issues. Because of that, your dentist will probably need to do oral surgery to extract it. In any case, a dentist or oral surgeon is the professional who will primarily perform a wisdom tooth extraction.
Does Having Wisdom Teeth Removed Hurt?
The utilization of anesthesia will make the procedure pain-free. Once your gums have been dulled, your dentist or oral surgeon will use a particular tool to loosen and detach the tissue around your wisdom teeth. Then, at that point, they will eliminate the tooth.
Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Improved Bite
An essential consideration while doing an examination for the possible wisdom teeth extraction is the patient’s bite. Generally, approaching wisdom teeth will affect their bite, particularly if they are impacted. Dental health professionals can help patients keep up the ideal state of their bite with the assistance of wisdom teeth removal.
Reduced Number of Cavities
An individual should consider removing their wisdom tooth when it already has a huge cavity that might be hard to fill. Most of the time, this situation calls for the help of wisdom tooth removal. This is likewise to give the patient a better approach to cleaning the surrounding teeth to prevent tooth decay and cavities in the future.
Enhanced Denture Use
With regards to more matured patients, denture use is a significant factor for wisdom teeth removal. A few patients are experiencing issues with their dentures when eating and talking. Removing wisdom teeth will allow the patient to easily slip the dentures in and out its place.
What Can Happen to Your Facial Structure?
Having wisdom teeth or other teeth extracted generally does not make your jawline or face shape change.
The wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth. The skin and soft tissue covering the wisdom teeth consist of underlying fat, facial fat pads, and muscles. These soft tissues are stable even when your dentist extracts your wisdom tooth.
In some racial groups, such as Asians, the fat pads and strong dermal layers maintain the face shape and jawline stable even after tooth removal. However, some people claim that they experience facial slimming or the highlight of a V-shaped face after extractions. But these cases have not been assessed and measured objectively.
Usually, these claims occur because your face will be swollen after extractions. Over time, as you recover, the swelling will also subside, making you perceive that your face slimmed down.
Additionally, because of post-surgical discomfort and swelling, numerous patients cannot maintain their regular diet. Hence, this might cause incidental weight loss that appears in the face.
Furthermore, suppose a person had wisdom teeth removed at an early age. They might confuse the natural aging of the face as being brought about by the wisdom teeth being missing. It is typical for the structure of soft tissues to reduce around the facial structure and jaw as we age. In short, it is impossible for wisdom tooth surgery to accurately change your facial structure.
What Can You Do to Reduce the Risk of Changes in Your Face After Tooth Extractions?
Bone Grafts
Much of the time, the dentist recommends a bone graft after tooth extraction. This procedure involves putting bone material over the surgical site. This promotes your jaw to create more bone
material, and accordingly, assists with lessening your danger of bone recession. The bone grafting technique is particularly beneficial if your dentist removes your tooth because of chronic infections. This is because dental infections usually cause a loss of bone in the jaw, and this method helps speed the replacement of that bone.
Dental Implants
Some dentists may not recommend dental implants after wisdom tooth extraction. However, for other missing teeth, this treatment is beneficial. In fact, the dentist usually recommends dental implants if you have missing teeth. This is because a dental implant has a prosthetic tooth and a root replacement that can effectively replace a tooth and reduce your odds of having facial imbalance. In any case, dental implant surgery can be somewhat expensive, but it frequently lasts a lifetime.
Other Options
Another option is asking your dentist about the cosmetic procedures they offer. Facial contouring methods such as Botox, fillers, or jaw surgery can improve your facial structure and give you a younger-looking face. So, suppose you are bothered by your facial features and jawline. Talk to your dentist or plastic surgeon about this.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth removal is a surgical procedure that is beneficial and safe to patients. It can give a few benefits in advancing overall oral health, including enhanced denture use, improved overall bite, and lowered tooth decay and cavities. Remember that wisdom teeth extraction will not change the shape of your face, so do not fear getting this treatment.
References:
Impacted wisdom teeth.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wisdom-teeth/symptoms-causes/syc-20373808
Bone Grafting.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/bone-grafting
Dental Implants Procedure, Types, Problems, and Cost.
