If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, you’ve probably heard people talk about how braces changed their face shape. Maybe you’ve seen dramatic before and after photos online, or perhaps you’re worried about the “braces face” myth. So, do braces change face shape, or is this all exaggerated?
The honest answer is yes, braces can influence your facial appearance, but probably not the way you think. The changes are usually positive and subtle, improving facial symmetry and creating better proportions rather than drastically altering how you look. At Oasis Orthodontics, we understand your concerns go beyond just straight teeth. Let’s break down exactly how braces affect your facial profile and what you can realistically expect when it comes to braces face change.
Understanding How Braces Work
When you get orthodontic braces (metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, or lingual braces), they apply gentle, consistent pressure to shift teeth into better positions. Each tooth is held in your jawbone by the periodontal ligament. When braces apply pressure, it triggers bone remodeling where bone breaks down and rebuilds, allowing tooth movement.
This process doesn’t happen in isolation. Your teeth, jaw, lips, and facial muscles work together. When you shift tooth positions, you’re also changing jaw alignment, lip posture, and facial soft tissue support. This is where braces facial structure effects come into play.
The Truth About "Braces Face"
The idea of a universal “braces face” (sunken cheeks, hollow temples) is a myth. Changes vary widely based on your specific situation. Some people lose weight during treatment, creating temporary sunken cheeks unrelated to braces. When significant bite issues are corrected, your face does change, but these are improvements that enhance facial symmetry and balance.
How Braces Affect Your Jawline and Face
Jawline Changes
One of the most noticeable braces jawline before and after differences shows in the lower face. If you have an overbite, your lower jaw appears tucked back. Correcting this through bite alignment brings your lower jaw forward, creating a more defined jawline and better facial proportions. With an underbite, braces and elastics help reposition the jaw for a softer, more balanced lower face shape. Jaw alignment braces effects depend on malocclusion severity.
Cheekbone and Lip Changes
Your cheeks are supported by teeth and jaw structure. When you correct spacing or alignment problems, you influence cheek appearance and cheekbone definition. People with underbites often notice more defined cheekbones after treatment as facial balance improves.
Lip posture after braces changes because lips rest on teeth. Protruding upper teeth push lips forward. When braces move teeth back, lips rest more naturally. This can create the appearance of fuller lips through better support and positioning.
Different Bite Problems and Facial Effects
An overbite makes your upper jaw appear prominent while your lower jaw recedes. Overbite underbite correction repositions teeth and jaw. As upper teeth move back, your lower jaw comes forward, chin appears more defined, and you achieve better facial symmetry and improved facial proportions.
Underbite correction moves lower teeth and jaw back while bringing upper teeth forward. This significantly changes lower face shape, making the chin less prominent and jawline more balanced.
A crossbite can cause asymmetrical jaw growth, affecting facial symmetry. Correcting it (often with a palate expander) restores balance, especially in younger patients. An open bite prevents front teeth from touching when you close your mouth. Correction allows natural lip posture and creates a more youthful appearance.
Age Differences and Timeline
Children and teenagers see more noticeable changes because their bones are still growing. We can guide jaw development through interceptive orthodontics. Adults see more subtle changes since we’re working with fully developed bones, primarily moving teeth rather than modifying jaw growth. However, adults often notice bite correction creates a more youthful appearance with better lip and cheek support.
In the first few months, facial changes are minimal. Around 6 months, you might see subtle profile or jawline changes. By 12 to 18 months, changes become more obvious. When braces are removed, comparing before and after photos reveals how much face shape after braces has improved. The smile transformation can be striking.
Common Positive Changes
Patients typically notice: a more defined jawline (jaw sits in ideal position), improved facial symmetry after braces (misalignment gets corrected), better balanced facial features (all features come into proportion), a more youthful appearance (reduced sagging, improved lip support), and fuller cheeks with better support (properly aligned teeth eliminate hollow appearances).
Different Braces Options
Traditional metal braces handle severe bite corrections most effectively. Ceramic braces work identically with less visible brackets. Clear aligners create similar facial changes but work best for mild to moderate cases. Lingual braces attach to the back of teeth with the same orthodontic treatment and face shape benefits as traditional braces.
Maintaining Results and Making Your Choice
After braces, consistent retainer wear is crucial. Initially, wear your retainer full-time for several months while bone stabilizes. Without retainers, teeth can shift back, affecting facial improvements. Your jaw alignment, lip support, and facial proportions could be compromised.
Understanding braces can change your face shape shouldn’t deter needed treatment. These changes are typically positive: better facial symmetry, improved bite alignment and face shape, balanced facial profile, and confident smile. Untreated bite issues lead to uneven wear, jaw pain, and progressive facial changes over time. Orthodontic treatment gives you control over these developments.
Your Journey with Oasis Orthodontics
At Oasis Orthodontics, we’ve seen patients transform their smiles and facial appearance through treatment. The connection between orthodontic treatment and face shape is real but not something to fear. When planned carefully with both function and aesthetics in mind, facial changes are almost always positive improvements.
Schedule a consultation to learn how treatment might affect your specific features. We’ll evaluate your teeth, bite, jaw relationships, and facial proportions, showing you realistic expectations and creating a treatment plan for both healthy function and aesthetic appeal.
Don’t let concerns about facial changes keep you from needed treatment. When you work with an experienced orthodontist who prioritizes facial aesthetics alongside dental function, you’ll see amazing positive changes in your smile and entire face.