Braces are commonly known to straighten teeth, but did you know that they may also have a big impact on the contour of your face? So, while you expect to get a beautiful, straight smile with braces, expect some changes on your face, too.
What are Dental Braces?
Dental braces are orthodontic braces that not only straighten teeth but also treat a variety of orthodontic conditions with brackets and wires. Your dentist will insert a tiny wire through the brackets after they are fastened to each tooth. The periodontal ligament is compressed by the wire’s tension, which gradually shifts the teeth into their correct positions. To guarantee that your teeth stay in the right alignment over time, your dentist or orthodontist will periodically modify the wire.
How Do Braces Change Your Face?
In addition to straightening your teeth, orthodontic therapy can change the shape of your face by influencing the position and form of your skeletal structures, such as your jaw. Braces and other orthodontic procedures serve to balance out any imperfections and set the jaws in their proper positions. This kind of therapy can subtly enhance the look of the face when properly monitored by an orthodontist.
The following are the facial changes you can expect with your orthodontic treatment:
- Lips: Braces can change the position and support of the lips. For example, if projecting teeth are aligned, the lips may look less pronounced.
- Cheeks: Braces may occasionally impact the fullness of the cheeks. Properly positioned teeth help support the cheeks better, giving them a more pronounced appearance.
- Jawline: Braces can help in reshaping the jawline by correcting misalignments. For instance, chin prominence and definition can be increased by correcting an overbite.
- Nose: The orthodontic treatment may make your nose look more proportional to your face.
- Overall symmetry: Braces can improve overall facial symmetry by bringing the jaws and teeth into alignment, giving the face a more harmonic and balanced look.
How Age Affects Facial Changes with Braces?
Age does affect how much braces may change your face, even though you can have braces at any age and still have a gorgeous smile. Due to the fact that their bones are still growing and hence more pliable, younger people undergo more noticeable alterations. This makes it easier for teeth to shift and makes face contouring more obvious.
Tooth mobility becomes a little more difficult as people age because their bones stiffen and lose some of their flexibility. Although orthodontic treatment can still be beneficial for adults, the alterations to their facial structure that follow are often more minor. It’s important to remember that these minor adjustments might occasionally provide the look of youth.
Summing Up!
People start to notice the changes on your face once your orthodontic treatment is over. Correcting the alignment of the jaw can sometimes also tighten the skin behind the chin, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and slows down the aging process.
If you have further concerns, consult our expert dentists at DentaLand Dentistry of Houston. Call us at (832) 674-8377 to schedule your appointment.