A major concern for many patients is whether a wisdom tooth extraction can change the shape of the face. There have been many speculations; but medically speaking, the procedure does not cause any significant change to the face. The extraction of wisdom teeth, which are usually impacted and not yet fully erupted should not cause deformity of any kind. However, there are two conditions that may potentially affect face shape, but only for a limited amount of time:
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Multiple extractions: Removing several back teeth may give the patient a sunken look or cause the face to appear thinner or more angular. The only way to correct this is to replace the missing teeth.
Immediate post-op complications: Some patients tend to experience swelling in the mouth area after the operation. The swelling should only last for a few days, but if the mouth area still continues to appear swollen after a week, the patient may be suffering from an infection and should immediately visit his dentist. It must be noted that several studies have shown that having one’s wisdom tooth removed when older significantly increases the risk of infection and swelling. Post-operative plans should be discussed by older adults and their dentist before the operation.
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There is a growing trend of having their back teeth removed to define further their jaw structure and facial features. It is known that many professional models had their wisdom teeth removed to give them a more defined look. However, this is highly discouraged by many dental professionals as these extractions should be done for health reasons and not for any aesthetic purposes.
Dr. John Pasqual specializes in wisdom teeth extraction and dental implants. To learn more about his practice, visit this website.
Looks painful, but I'm gonna think about it carefully.
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