Will Braces Change My Face?

It’s rare for a face to look 100% symmetrical, and it’s tough to tell when it’s not.

But if your smile seems off-balance, it’s easy to notice. You can tell it yourself, and, chances are, you’ll feel conscious about it.

You might be embarrassed to smile because your teeth are protruding, uneven, or crooked. Teeth alignment, however, isn’t only a cosmetic issue. It also impacts your oral health.

Orthodontic solutions, such as braces, straighten the teeth and improve how the top and bottom teeth come into contact with each other. You might be wondering then if braces could change your face.

After wearing braces, your smile will improve. You'll be able to close your mouth with ease. The results could affect how you and others perceive your face shape.

But as for your facial structure, it takes more than braces to change it.

How do braces affect my face shape?

While it’s true that braces enhance the appearance of your smile, several factors impact the degree they could change your face shape.

Age is one thing to consider. A child’s mouth is still developing and growing, making it easier to manipulate. Through early orthodontics, jaw growth can be guided. This impacts facial development.

Adult teeth are less malleable. While adults can still get braces, it’ll be harder to remodel the mouth. If you’re concerned about your front teeth positioned way forward of your bottom teeth, your orthodontist is likely to extract some teeth. This makes room so the front teeth can move inward.

When you have protruding teeth, you struggle to close your mouth or put your lips together. And when your mouth is at rest, you find it open instead of closed.

Once braces correct this, you'll be able to close your lips without exerting too much effort. But how much change you’ll see will depend on the changes in your teeth.

Your mouth may appear less protruding as it conforms to your improved teeth alignment. But your lips won’t go thicker, and your jawline won’t change as well.

Your side profile may change as you can now close your mouth with less effort.

That doesn’t mean adults can no longer get braces done. Your facial symmetry can still improve after getting braces as an adult. But chances of the teeth going back to their original shape are also higher.

Be sure to consult your dentist or orthodontist to identify the best teeth straightening solution for your situation.

Can I achieve a more defined jawline after getting braces?

If your goal is to reshape your jaw, braces won’t be enough.

Depending on your case, your dentist may recommend jaw surgery. They may also suggest seeing an oral surgeon.

Your cheeks might appear sunken if the procedure will involve tooth extraction, but that still won’t change your jawline.

Modifying the jawline requires a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Learn more about getting braces in Kitchener, ON

The improvements in your facial shape after getting braces are part of its advantages. But the procedure, alone, isn’t enough to modify your facial structure.

Orthodontists are experts in facial anatomy. They can let you know how dental treatments can impact your appearance.

At Orthodontic Smile Studio, we use a 3D digital scanning technology so you can see how your teeth alignment will improve through every stage of the procedure.

This way, you can set your expectations as you proceed with your treatment. To know more about braces and other orthodontic procedures in Kitchener, ON, call us at .

Ask about our free consultation today. Let's see which dental option will help you attain your smile goals.