Braces can change the shape of your face, especially if you are using them to treat imperfections in your teeth and jaw. The tension from the braces can shift your teeth and jaw, helping to address overbite issues and give you a new smile. The changes to your face are usually not too noticeable, but can make a huge difference to your confidence.
Let us walk you through how braces can change your face shape and answer any questions.
When we apply braces to your teeth to correct issues like open bites, under, or overbites, there can be small changes to your facial structure as the tension from the brace pulls your teeth into their new location. This does not need to be bad, and many will enjoy the slight profile changes they notice.
As orthodontists, we can manipulate the position of teeth thanks to the periodontal ligament. This connective tissue sits underneath each tooth and attaches it to the alveolar bone underneath. As part of your treatment, we will examine your teeth and decide where the pressure must be applied to move them into their new position.
The pressure, or applied load, causes movement by encouraging the body to reabsorb bone cells that are not needed. It will then grow new cells to secure each tooth in its new position. One side effect of this is the changes it makes to your jaw, which can affect your facial symmetry. This can be concerning, but orthodontists already consider the change in your face and map it out to ensure that any changes won't negatively impact your appearance.
Typically, we see braces impact your face shape when we are addressing the following issues:
We must move the lower jaw to realign it to the upper jaw to correct an underbite. Doing so gives a more natural shape and can change the shape of your face, especially around your jawbone.
We need to align the top jaw to meet the bottom for overbites. This can create facial symmetry and balance, removing the sunken appearance of cheeks. Addressing overbite issues can also strengthen your chin and jaw to prevent other problems from developing.
When we address open bites, we need to move both the top and bottom jaws to ensure they come together when your mouth is closed. Your teeth will be aligned vertically, allowing them to close fully when you speak or smile. This makes a huge difference not only to your appearance but also to your self-confidence!
Age can also play a role in your face changing with braces. Healing is faster in younger patients, and as many younger patients with braces are still growing, the changes to their faces are less likely to be noticeable. However, this doesn't mean you should not move forward with your braces treatment.
Using braces when you are older can still help you achieve your dream smile and fix any bite or misalignment issues. You might notice the difference in your face shape; treatment will likely take longer. During your initial consultation, a dentist can discuss this with you in more detail and ensure you know all the risks before moving forward.
Braces can make your face appear more youthful when you move forward with your treatment at an older age. You can lose elasticity in your chin as you age, with it starting to sag gently. As braces change your face and jaw alignment, the skin can tighten, softening the appearance of any wrinkles and making you seem younger. You can also notice differences in your lips, cheekbones, and cupid's bow (the space between your nose and upper lip).
Whether braces can change the shape of your mouth will vary depending on the issue braces are correcting. In some situations, like with an open bite, you will notice changes to the shape of your mouth. With an open bite, your mouth cannot fully close, but after your treatment, this will not be an issue, and you should notice a difference in your mouth.
Your lips can also look fuller than before after braces. The fullness of your lips is affected by the forward position and alignment of your front teeth. If your teeth have moved into different positions, this can change the shape of your lips.
You don't need to worry too much about this, as orthodontists carefully assess the lips and face to ensure that any changes will not be too noticeable or impact you. The goal is for you to feel confident in your new smile, without worrying about the new appearance of your lips or mouth.
You don't want to undo any of ths' hardware once removed, so you must follow the aftercare instructions carefully. You can incorporate the following to ensure your new smile remains in place:
Wear your retainer in line with the dentist's instructions to prevent your teeth from moving back into their original place
Floss regularly to remove plaque and food buildup to keep your smile healthy
Maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth regularly to keep them healthy
Braces can change the shape of your face, but this does not need to be bad. You ight otice slight changes to your facial appearance as your braces move your teeth and jaw into their new locatons, but this can in turn boos toyur confidence. Changes to facial features are less noticeable on younger patients, while older patients might notice changes to their facial structure and shape. Your dentist will ensure that these changes are not too noticeable nd will not impact your confidence. Learn more about our braces treatment at our Melbourne CBD clinic to see how your face could change today.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
