Can Wisdom Teeth Grow Back?

As a dentist, I’ve encountered numerous questions and concerns regarding wisdom teeth, the third molars that emerge in our late teens or early twenties.

One of the most fascinating inquiries I come across is whether wisdom teeth can grow back after they’ve been removed.

Drawing from years of dental practice and scientific research, we’ll separate fact from fiction and provide a comprehensive overview of what patients can realistically expect when it comes to wisdom teeth.

Can wisdom teeth grow back after they’ve been removed?

No, wisdom teeth cannot grow back after they have been removed. Human beings are born with a set number of teeth, including their wisdom teeth, which are also known as third molars.

Each person typically has up to four wisdom teeth, with one located in each corner of the mouth. These are the last teeth to emerge, usually appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Once a tooth is removed, it does not regenerate or grow back.

This is because human teeth, including wisdom teeth, do not have the capability to regenerate. The ability to regrow teeth exists in some species, but not in humans.

Our teeth are formed during early development, and once the adult teeth, including the wisdom teeth, have come in and any of them are removed, they are gone for good.

Still, there can be cases where it seems like a wisdom tooth has “grown back” after removal. This rare occurrence can be attributed to a few possibilities:

Supernumerary Teeth

In some rare instances, individuals may have extra teeth beyond the usual 32 in adults, including more than four wisdom teeth. If an extra wisdom tooth is not detected during initial examinations and extractions, it might appear later, giving the impression that a wisdom tooth has grown back.

Incomplete Removal

On very rare occasions, a piece of the wisdom tooth root may not be completely removed during extraction. If this fragment remains viable, it might give the impression of regrowth, although this is not a new tooth growing but rather the body responding to the leftover tooth fragment.

Misdiagnosis

Sometimes, what is believed to be a regrown wisdom tooth might actually be the emergence of a previously impacted wisdom tooth that was not visible on x-rays or had not yet emerged at the time of the initial extractions.

In summary, once a wisdom tooth is fully removed, it cannot grow back. Any appearance of regrowth is likely due to other dental phenomena that should be evaluated by a dental professional.

What is Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia is a dental condition characterized by having an excessive number of teeth. These extra teeth, known as supernumerary teeth, can appear in any area of the dental arches and can affect both the primary (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth.

Hyperdontia can occur as a single isolated condition or may be associated with certain syndromes or genetic conditions.

Characteristics of Hyperdontia

• Location: Supernumerary teeth can appear in any part of the mouth but are most commonly found in the upper front teeth area, known as the maxillary incisors. They can also occur in the molars area.
• Types: There are several types of supernumerary teeth, including mesiodens (which occur near the upper front teeth), paramolars (next to the molars), and distomolars (located in the back of the mouth, behind the last molars).
• Symptoms: In many cases, hyperdontia does not cause any immediate symptoms. It can still lead to dental issues such as crowding, delayed eruption of permanent teeth, misalignment of teeth, and sometimes cyst formation.
• Diagnosis: Hyperdontia is typically diagnosed through dental X-rays, which can reveal the presence of extra teeth beneath the gums even before they erupt.

Causes of Hyperdontia

The exact cause of hyperdontia is not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

It can occur as a standalone condition or be associated with certain genetic syndromes, such as Gardner’s syndrome, Cleidocranial dysplasia, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, among others.

Treatment for Hyperdontia

Treatment for hyperdontia depends on the number and location of the supernumerary teeth, as well as the potential or actual impact on the surrounding teeth and overall dental health.

Options may include:

• Monitoring: If the supernumerary teeth are not causing any problems, a dentist may choose to monitor them over time.
• Extraction: Often, the extra teeth are extracted to prevent or resolve crowding, alignment issues, or damage to adjacent teeth.
• Orthodontic treatment: In cases where hyperdontia has led to misalignment or crowding, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the dental arch and improve the bite.

Why Are Most Wisdom Teeth Pulled?

Most wisdom teeth are pulled due to a combination of factors related to their late emergence in the mouth and the limited space available for them to grow properly.

This often leads to complications that can affect oral health and the alignment of other teeth.

Here are the primary reasons why wisdom teeth are commonly extracted:

• Impaction: Wisdom teeth are prone to becoming impacted, meaning they cannot fully emerge through the gums. This can happen because there isn’t enough room in the jaw or because the teeth are misaligned. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to pain, swelling, and infection.
• Crowding: The human jaw has evolved to be smaller over time, leaving less room for wisdom teeth. When these teeth try to emerge, they can push against other teeth, causing crowding and misalignment. This crowding can undo years of orthodontic work or make it difficult to clean teeth properly, leading to decay.
• Difficulty cleaning: Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, making them hard to reach with a toothbrush and floss. This difficulty in maintaining proper hygiene can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and the development of cysts or tumors around the impacted teeth.
• Infection: Partially erupted wisdom teeth create openings around the teeth that can become breeding grounds for bacteria. This can lead to an infection known as pericoronitis, characterized by painful, swollen gum tissue, bad breath, and potentially more serious complications.
• Cysts and tumors: The sac surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth, and nerves. In rare cases, tumors (usually benign) can develop in this area, requiring more extensive surgical procedures.
• Orthodontic reasons: To prevent the potential for crowding and misalignment of teeth, especially after orthodontic treatment, dentists and orthodontists may recommend the removal of wisdom teeth.

FAQ on Can Wisdom Teeth Grow Back?