Braces do more than just alignment of crooked teeth. They are capable of reshaping one’s face for aesthetic and functional purposes. Facial structure is a concern for a lot of people when getting teeth braces fitted. These people often ask how braces affect their facial structure and the answer is very personalized ranging from a person’s age, issues with alignment, duration of the treatment and more.
How Do Braces Work?
Braces work by gently repositioning the teeth into more suitable locations. They work by constantly applying pressure on the teeth. Braces move a person’s teeth, adjust their bite, and even reshape their jaw if necessary. With the help of all these movements, braces can change facial structure over time. Since the jaw and teeth are fused with the muscles, bones, and other features in the face, changing one’s jaw or teeth will alter the balance of the face.
Effects of Braces on Different Age Groups
Children and Teenagers
Of all the demographics, young patients will experience the most drastic changes after receiving treatment as their bones are still maturing. If orthodontic braces intervene, jaw development can be steered in a more favorable direction to prevent alignment problems from arising in the future. If a child has an overbite, an underbite, or a crossbite, the use of braces can correct many abnormal facial structures for children.
Adults
Braces can work at reshaping a person’s facial structure even in adulthood, although transformations are usually less dramatic. With the maturation of bones, changes are not as significant. Orthodontic treatment aims at jaw aesthetics and function rather than jaw development. Still, adults can improve their facial proportion and shape significantly.
Specific Ways Braces Affect Facial Features
Jaw Alignment
Braces are capable of correcting overbites, underbites, and crossbites. When the jaw is positioned correctly, the balance and symmetry of the face is improved, which makes the person look better. For instance, correcting an underbite will reduce the appearance of a chin, while fixing an overbite will lengthen a short face.
Lip Position
Balanced teeth are vital for proper support of the lips. Misaligned teeth can result in irregularities in the shape of the lips. With braces, teeth are straightened to better support the lips, resulting in more plump and balanced lips without any loose skin on the side.
Cheekbone Definition
Certain areas of the face can appear to be puffy where there is a misaligned bite. Braces are able to correct jaw misalignments, and as a result, outline a more defined face structure. After treatment, some patients report improvement in the prominence of their cheekbones as well.
Can Braces Make Your Face Slimmer?
They do, indeed! Those with braces are able to make their faces look slimmer. If jaw misalignment causes imbalance and puffiness, bringing it into alignment can enhance appearance. Many patients who suffer from severe over or underbites tend to notice a positive change in their facial shape after treatment.
Overbite and Underbite Corrections
Fixing an Overbite
An overbite is considered to be present when an individual has an excessive upper jaw that results in the upper jaw teeth overlapping with the lower jaw ones. This makes the face appear shorter. Braces help in ‘deleterious’ overbites by adjusting the angle of the jaw on opening which helps elongate the face while improving the proportions.
Fixing an Underbite
An Underbite, on the other hand, occurs when a person suffers from lower jaw teeth extending considerably while protruding the chin. This condition is correctable through orthodontic treatment. Orthotropics, which consist of braces and other orthodontic appliances, can help shift the jaw back to a more neutral position, reducing the severity of some facial features while enhancing the balance of symmetry.
How Long Does It Take To See Changes?
Facial structure changes are now often accompanied with periods of time. Rarely does a patient notice major improvements within the first few months. An extended jaw takes a considerable time for improvement. The rest of the transformation happens once the braces are removed, which is usually between 18 to 24 months after treatment.
Can Retainers Impact Face Structure?
Retainers do not reposition teeth, but rather help to keep the changes done by braces in place. Retainers are used during the final stages of orthodontic work to ensure that the teeth stay in their new positions, which helps keep any positive changes to the face that were achieved during the treatment.
Final Thoughts
Braces improve the appearance of the face in addition to straightening teeth. Braces have the power to improve symmetry, straighten misaligned teeth, and refine the structure of the jaw. To learn more about your options and get a balanced, self-assured smile, speak with a qualified dentist in NorthWest Houston if you’re thinking about getting orthodontic treatment.