Dents in aircraft wings can significantly impact aerodynamics, potentially affecting performance, efficiency, and safety. The extent to which they alter aerodynamic properties depends on their size, location, and severity. Here are some ways in which wing dents can affect an aircraft:

1. **Increased Drag:**
   - Dents disrupt the smooth airflow over the wings, leading to increased skin friction and pressure drag. This disruption can cause air turbulence around the affected area, reducing overall aerodynamic efficiency.

2. **Altered Lift Distribution:**
   - The lift generated by a wing is closely tied to its shape. A dent can change the local camber (curvature) of the wing surface, affecting how effectively it generates lift. This alteration may cause uneven lift distribution, potentially leading to control issues or increased stress on certain parts of the airframe.

3. **Boundary Layer Separation:**
   - Dents can prematurely separate the boundary layer, a thin layer of air that flows smoothly along the wing's surface. When separation occurs too early, it increases drag and reduces lift, particularly during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing.

4. **Impact on Stall Characteristics:**
   - Changes in airflow due to dents might alter the stall characteristics of the wing. This can affect the angle at which a stall occurs and how predictably an aircraft will recover from one, posing a safety risk if not properly managed or understood by pilots.

5. **Vibrations and Structural Stress:**
   - Dents can lead to local changes in aerodynamic forces, potentially causing vibrations or uneven stress distributions that might contribute to fatigue over time. This is especially concerning for high-cycle regions like wing flaps during repeated takeoffs and landings.

6. **Fuel Efficiency:**
   - Increased drag from dented wings requires more engine thrust to maintain speed and altitude, leading to higher fuel consumption. Over time, this can result in increased operational costs and reduced range.

7. **Noise Levels:**
   - Disrupted airflow around a dent can generate additional noise, which may be noticeable both inside the cabin and outside for those on the ground.

Given these potential impacts, even seemingly minor dents are taken seriously by aircraft maintenance teams. Regular inspections ensure that any damage is identified early, allowing for timely repairs to restore optimal aerodynamic performance and maintain flight safety standards. In some cases, depending on regulations and the extent of the dent, structural analysis might be necessary to determine if a repair or replacement is required.