Many patients wonder if orthodontic treatment will change how they look. This is understandable. Our faces are vital to our identity and how others see us. Here, our Surrey orthodontists discuss the influence that straightening your teeth may have on your appearance.
Does straightening your teeth change your face shape?
When considering orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners, many people wonder not only about how their smile will look afterward but also about the overall benefits that these treatments offer. A common question is whether straightening teeth will change their overall facial appearance.
The short answer is yes, orthodontic treatment can change your facial appearance, but these changes are generally subtle, positive, and focused on creating balance and proportion to your features.
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Orthodontic treatments, such as braces, aligners, and other appliances, work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to gradually move teeth into proper alignment. This process affects not just the visible portion of your teeth but also the underlying bone structure that supports them.
The primary goals of orthodontic treatment include:
- Aligning crooked teeth
- Correcting bite issues (how your upper and lower teeth meet)
- Addressing spacing problems like gaps or crowding
- Improving jaw alignment
When these issues are corrected, the relationship between your teeth, jaws, and facial muscles changes, which can result in noticeable changes to your facial appearance.
Facial Features Most Commonly Affected by Orthodontics
There are a few main areas of the face that may show some degree of change after orthodontic treatment. This includes the jawline, lips, cheeks, and chin.
Jawline & Facial Profile
Perhaps the most significant facial changes occur when orthodontic treatment addresses bite issues, particularly overbites (where the upper teeth extend too far forward) or underbites (where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth). Correcting these problems may:
- Bring the jawline into better balance.
- Create a more defined profile.
- Reduce a protruding appearance in either jaw.
- Improve facial symmetry.
Lips & Cheeks
The position of your teeth provides structural support for your lips and cheeks. When teeth are straightened:
- Protruding teeth that push the lips outward may be repositioned, allowing the lips to rest more naturally.
- Fixing an underbite can provide better support for the upper lip.
- Filling gaps or expanding narrow arches can add fullness to cheeks and lips that previously appeared sunken.
Chin Position
In some cases, especially with significant bite correction, the position of the chin may appear different. This doesn't mean the chin bone itself has changed, but rather that its position related to other facial features has been adjusted.
How Age Affects Facial Changes
The timing of orthodontic treatment can play a role in how much facial change might occur:
Children and Teenagers: Because their bones are still growing, younger patients often experience more noticeable facial changes with braces or clear aligners. Early intervention can guide facial growth in many ways, potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures later.
Adults: While an adult's bones are no longer growing, facial changes can still occur with orthodontic treatment. These changes are typically more subtle but can still address long-standing alignment issues and improve facial symmetry.
The Different Types of Treatment
Different orthodontic approaches may influence facial appearance in varying ways:
Traditional Braces: Address complex alignment and bite issues that can significantly affect the facial structure.
Clear Aligners: Clear aligners can correct dental misalignment by adjusting the position of the jaw, resulting in a more defined and balanced jawline. This can enhance the overall appearance of the face.
Palatal Expanders: These devices widen the upper jaw, creating a broader smile and better facial proportion, particularly in younger patients.
Surgical Orthodontics: In severe cases, jaw surgery combined with orthodontic treatment may be recommended, resulting in more dramatic facial changes.
What to Expect From Facial Changes
For most people, facial changes resulting from orthodontic treatment are:
- Gradual and occur over months or years
- Relatively subtle and not dramatically altering your appearance
- Positive improvements that enhance natural facial harmony
- More noticeable to you rather than to casual observers
It's important to understand that orthodontists aren't trying to change how you look. The goal is a healthy bite and smile that complements your natural features.
Why Consultation Matters
Every person's facial structure, dental issues, and treatment needs are unique. The potential changes to your face depend on:
- Your specific orthodontic problems
- Your age and stage of development
- Your facial structure and features before treatment
- The treatment approach selected
This is why a personal consultation with an orthodontist is essential. Through examination, X-rays, and digital imaging, they can provide insight into how treatment might affect your specific facial features while straightening your teeth.