How can braces affect your facial structure?
What are Braces
Braces are special dental tools made of wires and brackets that gently move your teeth into the right position to improve your smile and bite.
What are the types of braces
1. Metal Braces (Traditional Braces)
- Made of stainless steel brackets and wires.
- Most common and effective for all age groups.
- Visible but very reliable.
2. Ceramic Braces
- Similar to metal braces but use tooth-colored or clear brackets.
- Less noticeable than metal braces.
- Slightly more fragile.
3. Self-Ligating Braces
- Use clips instead of rubber bands to hold the wire.
- Can be metal or ceramic.
- Often require fewer appointments.
4. Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign)
- Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays that fit over your teeth.
- Very discreet and comfortable.
- Ideal for mild to moderate cases.
The main appliances used along with braces to change facial structure
In orthodontic treatment, several appliances are used to guide or influence facial growth, especially in growing children and teens. These appliances can help correct jaw size, shape, and position — not just the teeth.
1. Headgear
- Purpose: Controls growth of the upper jaw (maxilla) and improves overbite.
- How it works: Worn outside the mouth; it applies backward force to the upper teeth/jaw.
- Facial impact: Can make a retruded lower jaw look more prominent.
2. Reverse Pull Headgear (Face Mask)
- How it works: Pulls the upper jaw forward using elastics connected to an external frame.
- Purpose: Used for kids with underdeveloped upper jaws (Class III malocclusion).
- Facial impact: Helps balance the midface and correct a sunken appearance
3. Functional Appliances (e.g., Twin Block, Bionator, Herbst Appliance)
- Purpose: Stimulates or restricts jaw growth, mainly for Class II correction (small lower jaw).
- How it works: Worn in the mouth; shifts the lower jaw forward.
- Facial impact: Enhances the chin and improves jawline definition.
4. Palatal Expander
- Purpose: Widens a narrow upper jaw.
- How it works: Fits on the upper molars and gradually expands the palate.
- Facial impact: Creates room for teeth and improves nasal airflow and facial symmetry.
5. Chin Cup
- Purpose: Helps slow down or control forward growth of the lower jaw in Class III cases.
- How it works: Applies upward and backward pressure using straps around the chin and head.
- Facial impact: Can help reduce the prominence of the lower jaw in growing kids.
6. Mini-Screws (TADs)
- Purpose: Used to anchor forces for moving teeth or jaws precisely.
- How it works: Tiny pins temporarily placed in the bone to direct force.
- Facial impact: Can intrude or move specific teeth to improve smile arc and face height.
These appliances are most effective during growth spurts — early intervention often leads to better facial outcomes without surgery.
How does braces affect your facial structure
Braces do more than just straighten teeth — they can subtly or even significantly change your facial structure, especially if you start treatment at a younger age or have major alignment issues.
Here’s how braces can affect your face:
1. Improved Jaw Alignment
If you had an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, braces help bring your jaws into better alignment. This can change the way your jawline looks from the side, making it more defined and balanced.
2. Lip Support & Profile Changes
Teeth give shape to your lips. When braces move teeth inward (especially if teeth were protruding), your lips may appear less full or more proportionate. Your facial profile might become softer or more symmetrical as a result.
3. Chin and Lower Face Appearance
In cases where there was crowding or bite imbalance, correcting the bite can enhance the symmetry of your lower face, making the chin and jaw look more proportionate.
4. Cheekbone Definition
This is less common, but in some people, especially those with a sunken mid-face due to bite issues, aligning the teeth can bring back natural fullness in the cheek area.
5. Overall Facial Harmony
Ultimately, braces can create a more harmonious look by aligning features that were thrown off by poor bite or crooked teeth.
Real Talk: Braces won’t “change your face completely” like plastic surgery, but the changes are often enough to make you look more confident, youthful, and balanced.
If you’re considering braces not just for dental health but for cosmetic reasons too, talk to your orthodontist about how your face may change. Everyone’s results are unique!