Many celebrities claim that their faces became smaller after they had their wisdom teeth removed. There are also many "experts" on the internet who confirm this. So, does removing wisdom teeth actually make your face smaller?
The width of your face is not related to removing wisdom teeth
The main factor that affects the size of your face is your bones. As for teeth, their impact on facial shape is mainly to support the lips and cheeks and maintain facial height. Even if you are like an edentulous old lady in her 80s, your face may sag, but it won't significantly change the width of your face.
The image below is a front X-ray of a face, with the white circle indicating the position of an impacted wisdom tooth. Generally, even if the tooth is surgically removed, the operation will not extend beyond this white circle.
The fluorescent dots indicate the outer edge of the mandible. The contour at this location basically determines whether your face is big or small. Some cosmetic procedures also involve modifying the bones and muscles in this area to improve facial shape.
Removing wisdom teeth alone does not have a significant slimming effect on the face
The muscles in the face and the teeth have some role in shaping facial features. Some people say that if the wisdom tooth is severely tilted towards the cheek (outward) and pressing against the cheek mucosa, will removing the wisdom tooth make the face smaller?
The answer is: no. If the wisdom tooth is severely tilted towards the cheek (outward) and pressing against the cheek mucosa, it is likely to cause mucosal damage and pain during chewing friction. Before it has a chance to "support" the mucosa and make your face wider, you will probably have to get it removed.
In medical practice, it has not been found that misaligned wisdom teeth can cause enlargement of the mandibular angle, unless there is a cyst that causes the mandible to expand. However, in such cases, the primary concern is not facial slimming but treating the illness.
Removing wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment may change facial shape
If there is dental malformation, undergoing orthodontic treatment and extracting teeth as necessary can have some effect on changing facial shape. For example, some people may have a high palate, a long face, or a protruding mouth like a chimpanzee. After removing wisdom teeth and undergoing orthodontic treatment, their facial shape may change.
The belief that removing wisdom teeth slims the face is just an illusion of beauty
The idea that removing wisdom teeth can make the face slimmer is likely just an illusion. Immediately after tooth extraction, the face may swell and appear much larger. Once the swelling subsides and returns to its original state, the illusion of a slimmer face may arise. Additionally, during the first week after tooth extraction, only liquid food can be consumed, leading to a decrease in calorie intake and a slight weight loss, which is to be expected.
