When Do Wisdom Teeth Stop Growing? What You Should Know
✓ Medically Reviewed. Last Updated on 09/16/2026.
Wisdom teeth usually finish most of their development in the late teens or early twenties, but there is no single age when every wisdom tooth stops growing. The crown typically develops earlier, while the roots continue forming after the tooth begins to emerge. Research has found that wisdom tooth root development may be completed around the early twenties, although the timing varies between individuals.
Wisdom teeth can also remain partly erupted, impacted, or completely below the gum even after their roots have finished developing. This means that a wisdom tooth can still cause problems later in life even though the tooth itself is no longer actively growing.
Key Takeaways
Wisdom teeth commonly develop from childhood and usually emerge between the late teens and early twenties.
Root formation generally continues after the crown has formed and may finish around the early twenties.
There is considerable variation in when wisdom teeth finish developing and erupt.
A wisdom tooth does not have to be growing to cause pain, swelling, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.
An X-ray can help a dentist assess whether a wisdom tooth is still developing, impacted, or fully formed.
Wisdom tooth extraction or surgery may be considered when the tooth causes recurring dental problems.
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop. They generally begin forming during childhood, with crown development progressing through the early teenage years and root development continuing into late adolescence or early adulthood. Many wisdom teeth emerge between ages 17 and 21, although some erupt later or never emerge at all.
The important distinction is between tooth development and eruption. A wisdom tooth can finish forming its roots while remaining partly or completely trapped beneath the gum. If you are concerned about whether your wisdom tooth is still developing, a dental examination and X-ray can provide a clearer answer.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Usually Stop Growing?
TL;DR: Wisdom teeth generally stop developing around the early twenties, but the exact timing varies. Eruption and complete tooth development do not necessarily happen at the same time.
For most people, wisdom teeth stop developing during the late teens or early twenties.
However, "stop growing" can mean different things.
A wisdom tooth goes through several stages:
Tooth formation begins: The developing wisdom tooth can usually be detected on dental imaging during childhood.
Crown formation: The visible chewing portion of the tooth develops first.
Root formation: The roots develop after the crown and continue lengthening during adolescence.
Eruption: The tooth may eventually move through the gum and into the mouth.
Root completion: The roots eventually reach their mature form and the tooth is considered fully developed.
Studies of third molar development have found that root formation may begin around the mid-teens and reach completion around the early twenties, although individual studies report somewhat different ages.
Can Wisdom Teeth Keep Growing After They Erupt?
Not in the same way that a developing tooth grows. Once the tooth's roots are fully formed, the tooth itself does not continue getting larger throughout adulthood.
However, you may feel as though a wisdom tooth is "still growing" if more of the tooth gradually becomes visible. This can happen when a tooth continues to erupt after initially appearing through the gum.
For example, a wisdom tooth may first appear partially and then become more exposed over time. The tooth is not necessarily increasing in size; rather, more of its existing structure is becoming visible as it changes position.
The American Dental Association's information on wisdom teeth notes that wisdom teeth commonly appear between ages 17 and 21, although eruption timing varies.
A tooth can also remain impacted. This means it is unable to erupt normally because of its position, surrounding bone, gum tissue, or lack of space.
What Happens If a Wisdom Tooth Has Not Finished Growing?
An incompletely developed wisdom tooth is not automatically a problem. In some people, the tooth develops normally and eventually erupts without causing significant symptoms. In others, it may remain trapped or develop at an angle.
The position of the tooth matters because an impacted or partially erupted wisdom tooth can be difficult to clean. This may increase the likelihood of problems such as:
Food becoming trapped around the tooth
Tooth decay
Gum inflammation or infection
Pain or swelling
Damage to the neighbouring molar
Difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene
The National Institutes of Health research on third molar development shows that third molars have substantial variation in their development, position, and eruption timing.
This is why age alone cannot determine whether a wisdom tooth needs treatment.
Can a Fully Grown Wisdom Tooth Still Cause Pain?
Yes. A wisdom tooth can be completely developed and still cause pain or other dental problems.
Pain does not necessarily mean the tooth is continuing to grow. Instead, discomfort may be associated with its position, surrounding gum tissue, decay, infection, or pressure on nearby structures.
Common wisdom tooth pain areas can include:
The gum at the back of the mouth
The jaw around the affected tooth
The cheek
The area near the ear
The surrounding jaw muscles
A partially erupted tooth can also develop inflammation around the gum. Because pain can sometimes feel like it is coming from another area, identifying the cause based on location alone is unreliable.
Dr. Johanna Hauer, an assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, has noted that a fully developed, previously trouble-free wisdom tooth can still turn into an urgent problem: "I think the rationale is that some people have impacted, or partially impacted, wisdom teeth that haven't ever bothered them. But when a wisdom tooth becomes a problem — be it a cavity or bacteria getting trapped under the gums — infections can develop very quickly. They can be life-threatening." In an interview with Tufts Now, she described treating several young patients who developed life-threatening wisdom tooth infections within days, underscoring why sudden or worsening symptoms should not be waited out.
Patients experiencing persistent discomfort can learn more about wisdom tooth pain and its possible causes.
When Should You See a Dentist About a Wisdom Tooth?
You should consider a dental assessment if your wisdom tooth causes repeated pain, swelling, difficulty cleaning, or discomfort when chewing.
A dentist may examine the tooth and recommend an X-ray to determine:
Whether the tooth is fully developed
How much of the tooth has erupted
Whether the tooth is impacted
The direction of the tooth and its roots
Whether it is affecting the neighbouring molar
You should seek prompt dental attention if symptoms include:
Symptom | Why it matters |
Repeated swelling | May indicate recurring inflammation or infection |
Persistent pain | Could be associated with decay, impaction, or infection |
Pus or unpleasant taste | May indicate an infection |
Difficulty opening the mouth | Can occur with significant inflammation |
Facial swelling | May indicate a more serious dental infection |
Fever or feeling unwell | Can accompany an infection requiring treatment |
Severe facial or neck swelling, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing requires urgent medical attention.
Does a Fully Developed Wisdom Tooth Need to Be Removed?
No. A wisdom tooth does not automatically need teeth removal simply because it has finished developing.
If a fully erupted wisdom tooth is healthy, functional, and easy to clean, a dentist may recommend monitoring it rather than removing it. Similarly, an impacted wisdom tooth may sometimes be monitored if it is not causing disease or other significant problems.
Removal may be considered when there is:
Repeated infection or inflammation
Significant tooth decay
Damage to the neighbouring tooth
An impacted tooth causing ongoing problems
Gum disease associated with the wisdom tooth
Other pathology affecting the tooth or surrounding tissues
The American Dental Association's guidance on wisdom teeth explains that impacted wisdom teeth can create problems when they do not have enough room to erupt correctly.
If extraction is recommended, a straightforward procedure may be possible when the tooth is fully erupted and accessible. More difficult cases may require wisdom tooth surgery, particularly when the tooth is impacted beneath the gum or bone.
Patients considering treatment can explore wisdom tooth extraction at EZ Dental Care to understand the available treatment approach.
How Can a Dentist Tell If Your Wisdom Tooth Has Stopped Developing?
A dental X-ray is one of the most useful ways to assess wisdom tooth development.
A dentist can examine the crown, roots, surrounding bone, and position of the tooth. This is particularly helpful when the wisdom tooth has not fully erupted and its development cannot be assessed by looking inside the mouth.
Research has shown that panoramic radiographs can be used to evaluate stages of third molar development, including crown formation and root completion.
The result can help your dentist determine whether monitoring is appropriate or whether treatment should be considered.
For patients seeking assessment in Singapore, EZ Dental Care provides wisdom tooth assessment and extraction services at its Bedok North and Geylang Bahru clinics. The clinic's service information confirms that both surgical and non-surgical wisdom tooth extraction options are available depending on the tooth's position and complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do wisdom teeth stop growing?
Wisdom teeth generally complete their development around the late teens to early twenties, although the exact timing varies. Root formation may continue after the tooth has started erupting. Studies have reported root completion at different ages, so an individual X-ray is more useful than age alone for determining whether a particular wisdom tooth is fully developed.
Can wisdom teeth grow after age 25?
The tooth itself does not normally continue growing once its roots are fully developed. However, an unerupted or partially erupted wisdom tooth may continue changing position or become more visible over time. A tooth that starts causing symptoms later in adulthood should still be assessed because the problem may relate to impaction, decay, gum inflammation, or infection.
Can a wisdom tooth hurt even if it has stopped growing?
Yes. Pain can occur even after the tooth is fully developed. Possible causes include gum inflammation, infection, decay, pressure from an impacted tooth, or problems involving the neighbouring molar. The cause cannot reliably be determined from pain alone, so persistent or recurring symptoms should be checked by a dentist.
Does a fully grown wisdom tooth always need extraction?
No. Healthy wisdom teeth that are properly positioned and easy to maintain may not need removal. Extraction is generally considered when a wisdom tooth is causing problems such as recurring infection, significant decay, damage to another tooth, or other dental disease.
Conclusion
So, when do wisdom teeth stop growing? For most people, wisdom teeth finish developing around the late teens or early twenties, with root formation often completing in the early twenties. However, there is considerable individual variation, and eruption does not always occur at the same time as complete development. A wisdom tooth can also remain impacted after it has fully formed.
If you have persistent wisdom tooth pain, swelling, or difficulty cleaning the area, an examination and X-ray can help determine what is happening. EZ Dental Care provides wisdom tooth assessment and extraction services in Singapore at its Bedok North and Geylang Bahru clinics.
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