# Wisdom Teeth and Orthodontics: Does Having Wisdom Teeth Affect Your Braces? Publisher: Virtual Consultant Online Author: Virtual Consultant Online Published: 2026-08-27 Updated: 0001-01-01 Canonical URL: https://virtualconsultant.online/blog/wisdom-teeth-braces-uk Citation metadata: https://virtualconsultant.online/citation.json?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvirtualconsultant.online%2Fblog%2Fwisdom-teeth-braces-uk One of the most persistent myths in orthodontics is that wisdom teeth push other teeth forward, causing crowding to worsen or orthodontic results to relapse. Patients worry about it before starting treatment, and adults who had braces years ago often blame their wisdom teeth when their front teeth begin to crowd again. The reality is more nuanced — and considerably more reassuring. This guide cuts through the confusion to give you a clear, evidence-based picture of how wisdom teeth interact with orthodontic treatment, when their removal is genuinely necessary, and why your retainer matters far more than your wisdom teeth ever will. Key takeaway The claim that wisdom teeth cause front tooth crowding is not well supported by the research. Multiple systematic reviews have found no consistent evidence that wisdom tooth eruption directly causes or worsens anterior (front) tooth crowding. Lower incisor crowding in adults is primarily driven by the natural forward drift of teeth throughout life, jaw growth continuing into the mid-twenties, and inadequate retainer wear after orthodontic treatment — not by pressure from wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth. Removing wisdom teeth solely to prevent relapse is not supported by current clinical evidence. ## What Are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth — formally known as third molars — are the last teeth to erupt, typically emerging between the ages of 17 and 25, though timing varies considerably. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. Some people have fewer; a small percentage have none at all. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted teeth in the human mouth. Impaction means the tooth cannot fully erupt into its correct position because it is blocked by the adjacent second molar, by bone, or by insufficient space in the jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt partially, remain entirely buried in bone, or lie at an angle. ## Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Crowding? This question has been studied extensively, and the consensus is clear: wisdom teeth are not a significant cause of tooth crowding. The pressure argument: the traditional theory was that erupting wisdom teeth exerted forward pressure through the dental arch, pushing the front teeth together. Studies that measured the forces generated by erupting wisdom teeth found them to be too weak and poorly directed to transmit meaningful force to the anterior teeth The evidence from extraction studies: longitudinal studies comparing patients who had their wisdom teeth removed with those who kept them found that both groups experienced similar rates of lower incisor crowding over time — suggesting wisdom teeth were not the cause in either group The real causes of adult crowding: the forward drift of teeth (mesial drift) that occurs throughout life, the continuing subtle growth of the lower jaw into the mid-twenties, the natural tightening of the dental arch with age, and — most importantly — inadequate retainer wear after orthodontic treatment, are all better-supported explanations for adult lower incisor crowding Wondering what orthodontic treatment would involve for your teeth? A virtual assessment from a specialist orthodontist gives you a personalised view of your options and likely outcomes — before committing to a consultation. Start your free assessment → ## When Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out During Orthodontic Treatment? While wisdom teeth do not routinely need to be removed simply because a patient is having orthodontic treatment, there are specific clinical situations where extraction is appropriate: Impacted wisdom teeth causing pain or infection: pericoronitis (infection of the gum flap over a partially erupted wisdom tooth) is a genuine clinical problem that may require extraction regardless of orthodontic treatment status Wisdom teeth causing decay or damage to the second molar: impacted wisdom teeth that are in direct contact with the second molar and causing cavities or root resorption need to be removed to protect the adjacent tooth Space requirement in complex cases: in some complex orthodontic cases involving significant tooth movement in the molar region, the orthodontist may plan for wisdom tooth removal to create space or to prevent the wisdom tooth from obstructing planned movements — this is case-specific and will be discussed in your treatment plan Wisdom teeth preventing correct molar position: in some patients the wisdom tooth is in a position that would prevent the second or first molar from being moved into its ideal position during treatment 17–25 Typical age range for wisdom tooth eruption — often overlapping with orthodontic treatment in teenagers and young adults No evidence That wisdom teeth cause anterior crowding — multiple systematic reviews have found no consistent causal relationship Retainer The most important factor in preventing relapse — far more influential than whether wisdom teeth are present ## Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed Before Starting Braces? There is no blanket recommendation to remove wisdom teeth before starting orthodontic treatment. The decision depends entirely on the clinical picture: If your wisdom teeth are symptom-free, not causing any pathology, and not in a position that will interfere with planned tooth movements, there is no evidence-based reason to remove them before or during orthodontic treatment If your wisdom teeth are causing symptoms, showing signs of infection, or are in a position that your orthodontist identifies as a clinical concern for your specific treatment plan, removal may be recommended — but this should be explained clearly and specifically Be cautious of any practitioner who recommends routine wisdom tooth extraction as a standard prerequisite for orthodontic treatment without a specific clinical reason — this is not supported by current evidence-based orthodontic guidelines ## What Happens If Your Wisdom Teeth Come Through During Treatment? It is very common for wisdom teeth to begin erupting while a patient is undergoing orthodontic treatment, particularly in teenagers and young adults. This does not automatically mean the wisdom teeth need to come out. Your orthodontist will monitor their position and eruption path through X-rays taken during treatment. In most cases, erupting wisdom teeth have no impact on the treatment outcome and no intervention is needed. If a wisdom tooth erupts into a position that could affect the bite or the stability of tooth movements already achieved, your orthodontist will discuss the clinical picture with you and recommend the appropriate next step — which may or may not be extraction. Important If your teeth have become crowded again after having braces — especially the lower front teeth — and your wisdom teeth are still present, it is tempting to conclude that the wisdom teeth are the cause. In most cases, the real explanation is inadequate retainer wear, natural mesial drift, or the continuation of jaw growth that was not yet complete when your treatment finished. Before pursuing wisdom tooth extraction as a solution to relapse, get an assessment from a specialist orthodontist who can identify the true cause and recommend the most appropriate management. Wondering About Your Orthodontic Options? A virtual assessment from a specialist orthodontist gives you a personalised view of your situation — including whether wisdom teeth are relevant to your specific case — before you commit to anything. Start Your Free Assessment → ## FAQs ### Do wisdom teeth affect braces or orthodontic treatment? In most cases, wisdom teeth do not significantly affect orthodontic treatment or its outcome. The commonly held belief that wisdom teeth push other teeth forward and cause crowding is not well supported by clinical research. Multiple studies have found similar rates of lower incisor crowding in patients who had their wisdom teeth removed and those who kept them, suggesting wisdom teeth are not the primary cause of post-treatment crowding. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed during orthodontic treatment only in specific clinical situations — such as causing infection, damaging adjacent teeth, or interfering with planned tooth movements. ### Should I have my wisdom teeth out before getting braces? There is no blanket recommendation to remove wisdom teeth before starting orthodontic treatment. If your wisdom teeth are not causing symptoms, not showing signs of pathology, and are not in a position that your orthodontist identifies as a problem for your specific treatment plan, there is no evidence-based reason to remove them first. Your orthodontist will assess your wisdom teeth as part of the treatment planning process and will recommend extraction only if there is a specific clinical reason to do so. Be cautious of any recommendation for routine pre-treatment wisdom tooth removal without a clear clinical rationale. ### Can wisdom teeth cause teeth to become crooked again after braces? The research evidence does not support wisdom teeth as a significant cause of teeth becoming crooked after orthodontic treatment. Late lower incisor crowding — the most common form of relapse — is primarily caused by natural mesial drift of teeth throughout life, continued jaw growth into the mid-twenties, and inadequate retainer wear after treatment. These factors occur regardless of whether wisdom teeth are present. If your teeth have shifted after braces and your wisdom teeth are still in place, a specialist orthodontic assessment will identify the true cause and advise on the most appropriate management. ### What happens to wisdom teeth during orthodontic treatment? Wisdom teeth are monitored through X-rays taken during orthodontic treatment. In most patients, erupting wisdom teeth have no impact on the treatment and require no intervention. Your orthodontist will assess the position and eruption path of your wisdom teeth as part of treatment planning and will monitor them throughout treatment. If a wisdom tooth is found to be in a position that could affect the bite, cause pathology, or interfere with planned tooth movements, extraction may be recommended at that point — but this is a case-specific decision, not a routine requirement. ### Do wisdom teeth affect braces or orthodontic treatment? In most cases, wisdom teeth do not significantly affect orthodontic treatment or its outcome. The commonly held belief that wisdom teeth push other teeth forward and cause crowding is not well supported by clinical research. Multiple studies have found similar rates of lower incisor crowding in patients who had their wisdom teeth removed and those who kept them, suggesting wisdom teeth are not the primary cause of post-treatment crowding. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed during orthodontic treatment only in specific clinical situations — such as causing infection, damaging adjacent teeth, or interfering with planned tooth movements. ### Should I have my wisdom teeth out before getting braces? There is no blanket recommendation to remove wisdom teeth before starting orthodontic treatment. If your wisdom teeth are not causing symptoms, not showing signs of pathology, and are not in a position that your orthodontist identifies as a problem for your specific treatment plan, there is no evidence-based reason to remove them first. Your orthodontist will assess your wisdom teeth as part of the treatment planning process and will recommend extraction only if there is a specific clinical reason to do so. Be cautious of any recommendation for routine pre-treatment wisdom tooth removal without a clear clinical rationale. ### Can wisdom teeth cause teeth to become crooked again after braces? The research evidence does not support wisdom teeth as a significant cause of teeth becoming crooked after orthodontic treatment. Late lower incisor crowding — the most common form of relapse — is primarily caused by natural mesial drift of teeth throughout life, continued jaw growth into the mid-twenties, and inadequate retainer wear after treatment. These factors occur regardless of whether wisdom teeth are present. If your teeth have shifted after braces and your wisdom teeth are still in place, a specialist orthodontic assessment will identify the true cause and advise on the most appropriate management. ### What happens to wisdom teeth during orthodontic treatment? Wisdom teeth are monitored through X-rays taken during orthodontic treatment. In most patients, erupting wisdom teeth have no impact on the treatment and require no intervention. Your orthodontist will assess the position and eruption path of your wisdom teeth as part of treatment planning and will monitor them throughout treatment. If a wisdom tooth is found to be in a position that could affect the bite, cause pathology, or interfere with planned tooth movements, extraction may be recommended at that point — but this is a case-specific decision, not a routine requirement. ## References - British Orthodontic Society — Wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment: clinical guidance (https://www.bos.org.uk/patients/orthodontic-appliances) - BOS clinical guidance on the relationship between wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment, covering the evidence on wisdom teeth as a cause of anterior crowding, indications for wisdom tooth extraction during orthodontic treatment, and the current clinical consensus on routine pre-treatment extraction. - NICE — Guidance on the extraction of wisdom teeth (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1) - NICE technology appraisal guidance on the indications for wisdom tooth extraction, covering the clinical evidence on pathological conditions that warrant extraction, the lack of evidence supporting routine extraction of symptom-free wisdom teeth, and the clinical criteria that should guide extraction decisions. - American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics — Third molars and lower incisor crowding: a systematic review (https://www.ajodo.org/) - Systematic review of the clinical evidence on the relationship between third molar (wisdom tooth) eruption and lower anterior incisor crowding, including the results of controlled longitudinal studies comparing crowding progression in patients with and without wisdom teeth present, and the conclusion that third molars are not a reliable causal factor in late lower incisor crowding. - British Orthodontic Society — Wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment: clinical guidance (https://www.bos.org.uk/patients/orthodontic-appliances) - BOS clinical guidance on the relationship between wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment, covering the evidence on wisdom teeth as a cause of anterior crowding, indications for wisdom tooth extraction during orthodontic treatment, and the current clinical consensus on routine pre-treatment extraction. - NICE — Guidance on the extraction of wisdom teeth (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1) - NICE technology appraisal guidance on the indications for wisdom tooth extraction, covering the clinical evidence on pathological conditions that warrant extraction, the lack of evidence supporting routine extraction of symptom-free wisdom teeth, and the clinical criteria that should guide extraction decisions. - American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics — Third molars and lower incisor crowding: a systematic review (https://www.ajodo.org/) - Systematic review of the clinical evidence on the relationship between third molar (wisdom tooth) eruption and lower anterior incisor crowding, including the results of controlled longitudinal studies comparing crowding progression in patients with and without wisdom teeth present, and the conclusion that third molars are not a reliable causal factor in late lower incisor crowding.