{"id":412,"date":"2026-07-23T16:19:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T16:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourtowndentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=412"},"modified":"2026-07-23T16:19:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T16:19:41","slug":"why-do-wisdom-teeth-grow-sideways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourtowndentalcare.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/23\/why-do-wisdom-teeth-grow-sideways\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Slant: Why Do Wisdom Teeth Grow Sideways?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ideally, teeth should come in straight, rising up through the gumline in a way that allows them to fit comfortably with the teeth next to them and across from them. When that happens, they can contribute to an even bite and efficient chewing. However, teeth do not always follow that path. Some emerge at an angle, and others may even grow almost entirely sideways beneath the gums. This situation is especially common with wisdom teeth<\/a>. Why are these third molars so prone to unusual positioning, and what else should you know about sideways wisdom teeth? This blog post explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Grow Sideways?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to develop, usually appearing in the late teenage years or early twenties. By that point, the rest of the smile is already in place, so there may be very little room left for another set of molars. If the jaw does not have enough space, the wisdom teeth may be blocked by bone, gum tissue, or neighboring teeth as they try to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they meet this resistance, they may shift into a tilted or horizontal position instead of erupting normally. The angle can be mild, or the tooth may lie nearly flat. This type of wisdom tooth is often considered \u201cimpacted\u201d because it remains stuck under the gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems Caused by Sideways Wisdom Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A sideways wisdom tooth is not always painful at first, but it can create trouble over time. Possible complications include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n