Braces for teens and adults can address various oral health issues and improve a smile’s harmony and attractiveness. But can braces change your facial shape? Please read this article to learn the answer to this question.
Can Braces Change Your Facial Shape?
An orthodontic treatment with braces can change your facial shape. However, the extent of changes largely depends on your age and on the issues being treated. Let us look at the most common changes that occur after an effective orthodontic treatment:
Facial Symmetry
Braces help realign your teeth and guide your bite into its proper position. When your teeth and jaw are better aligned, the soft tissues of your face, such as the lips, cheeks, and even nasal support, naturally fall into a more symmetrical arrangement.
Jawline and Chin
Correcting underbite and overbite will make the jawline more defined and improve the proportion of the chin. For example, overbite correction may bring the upper jaw and front teeth back into a more natural position, creating a stronger chin profile and reducing the appearance of a protruding upper lip. Underbite corrections can help soften an overly prominent jawline.
Cheeks and Mid-face
Expanding a narrow upper arch can make the mid-face look fuller and better supported, while eliminating crossbites and crowding can reduce the appearance of “sunken” cheeks caused by inward-tilted teeth. Such changes can help achieve a more youthful and “rested” appearance.
Lips
The way your lips look can change significantly because they sit directly over your teeth. Straightening protruding front teeth can help the lips sit more naturally and reduce strain when the mouth is closed. Correcting gaps between the teeth may give the lips better support, improving lip fullness and shape. Additionally, bite correction can enhance the harmony between the lips, nose, and chin.
Profile
Bringing teeth and jaws into alignment, especially correcting overbite and underbite, creates a smoother, more balanced profile. As the bite improves, the angle between the nose, lips, and chin becomes more proportionate.
Differences in Results Between Teenagers and Adults
As we mentioned before, the extent of facial shape changes largely depends on a patient’s age. Thus, kids and teenagers, whose bone structure is still developing, are likely to see more noticeable improvements after wearing braces. Also, braces can guide jawbone development.
Adults who get an orthodontic treatment will still see improvements in their facial structure, but the changes will be more subtle, since the bone structure is already fully developed by the age of 20 to 25.
How Soon Will You See the Changes in Facial Structure
The timeline for noticing facial changes from braces varies from person to person, depending on age, the complexity of the bite issue, and the type of orthodontic treatment. However, in general, you might expect the following timeline:
- You can start noticing the first subtle changes by the end of the first 2 to 3 months of treatment.
- In the next 6 months, dental arches widen or level out, improving cheek and mid-face support, and the bite begins to improve, allowing the jawline to appear more balanced.
- More significant changes in facial structure are typically observed between the 9th and 18th months of treatment.
Functional Benefits of an Orthodontic Treatment
Apart from cosmetic improvements, an orthodontic treatment can offer several functional and health benefits:
- Improved breathing
- Enhanced chewing efficiency and force distribution in the mouth (prevents teeth and joints from wearing down unevenly)
- Improved oral hygiene (properly aligned teeth are easier to clean) and improved gut health as a result.
Get an Orthodontic Treatment at OC Dental Specialists
If you are considering an orthodontic treatment, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at OC Dental Specialists today. Our specialists will take your needs and goals into account to create the most effective treatment plan for you. We are looking forward to your visit.