While braces are typically used to straighten teeth, they may also alter the appearance of the overall shape of your face. Our orthodontists in Surrey discuss the physical impact of wearing braces and answer the question, 'How does wearing braces change your jawline?'
Do braces change your jawline?
Some patients wonder, 'Can braces change the shape of your jawline?' The short answer is yes. As your braces shift your teeth into their correct, prescribed positions, your facial shape is also likely to change.
How does wearing braces change your jawline?
Braces and clear aligners apply pressure to the periodontal ligament, the fibrous connective tissue structure connecting teeth with the bone surrounding them. As light, constant pressure is applied to your teeth through braces, they will shift. Your body will respond by breaking down the old cells and producing new tissue cells to hold your teeth in their prescribed position. Braces can influence jaw development during orthodontic treatment and even change facial symmetry.
Some of the other outcomes of orthodontic treatment include:
Improved Alignment: Braces will reposition teeth, which can change the alignment of the jaw.
Correcting Overbites & Underbites: Addressing these orthodontic issues can alter your jawline and result in a more symmetrical appearance.
Jaw Growth Guidance: Braces can help guide the growth of the jaw in children and teenagers, which can influence the appearance of their jawline in the future.
Can braces change the shape of your nose?
Orthodontic treatment does not directly alter the shape of the nose. However, it can impact how the nose is perceived in relation to other facial features. This includes:
Enhanced Facial Balance: By aligning the teeth and jaw, braces can make the nose appear more proportionate to the rest of the face.
Profile Changes: Adjusting the bite can subtly affect the facial profile, which may alter the perceived shape of the nose.
Do braces affect the shape of your lips?
By applying pressure to your teeth and jaw, braces gradually reposition them, which can have an impact on the appearance of your lips, including:
Forward or Backward Movement: When teeth shift forward or backward, the lips may appear more or less prominent.
Increased Fullness: Correcting overbites or underbites can make the lips look fuller and more balanced.
How Braces Transform Facial Aesthetics
Braces not only help straighten misaligned teeth for a more confident smile, but they also alter the overall appearance of the facial structure. By properly aligning the teeth and jaws, braces can enhance the overall symmetry and balance of the face. The visual impact on your smile may include:
Enhancing Jawline Definition: Improved dental alignment can accentuate the jawline, making it appear more defined.
Balancing Facial Features: Correcting dental misalignments which leads to a more symmetrical face.
Altering the Appearance of Your Smile: A straight, well-aligned smile may boost confidence for some patients.
Approaches to Braces for Changes to the Jawline
Two of the most common types of orthodontic treatment are traditional metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners.
Traditional Braces:
Traditional braces consist of a metal archwire supported by small square brackets placed on each tooth. These components work together, sometimes with the help of additional parts like elastics, to apply pressure and guide teeth into their prescribed positions. Braces are a permanent fixture during treatment, meaning that they cannot be temporarily removed.
Best For: Complex or more comprehensive jaw and teeth alignment.
Benefits: Considered highly effective for performing significant bite corrections that impact the jawline.
Invisalign (Clear Aligners):
Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that helps straighten teeth. It uses a series of clear, plastic aligners that apply pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into their prescribed, healthier positions.
Best For: Mild to moderate adjustments with a focus on aesthetics.
Benefits: Discreet and can result in subtle changes to the jawline over time.
Orthodontic Treatment at Guildford Orthodontic Centre
The goal of orthodontic treatment is the same for children, teens or adults – to straighten teeth so they are aesthetically pleasing and function properly. This is done using orthodontic appliances that put gentle pressure on your teeth to move them into the 'right' position over a period of time.
At Guildford Orthodontic Centre, our orthodontists offer traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners to help you achieve a straight, healthy-looking smile.