When you think about orthodontic treatment, your first thought probably goes to straighter teeth. But have you ever looked at someone’s before-and-after photos and thought, “Wait… their whole face looks different?”
You’re not imagining it. Changing the position of your teeth can sometimes have a noticeable effect on your facial appearance, especially if there’s a significant bite or alignment issue to address.
So, yes, orthodontic treatment can change your face shape, but exactly how much your appearance changes depends on what is being treated and how long your braces stay on for.
How orthodontics can affect the shape of your face
Improving the way your teeth meet
A healthy bite is about much more than having straight teeth.
Your upper and lower teeth need to come together properly when you bite and chew. Problems such as an overbite, underbite, open bite or crossbite can affect the way your teeth function and, in severe cases, influence the appearance of your lower face.
Orthodontic treatment not only repositions the teeth, but changes the position of the jaw by improving bite alignment.
Someone with a significant overbite, for example, may find their lower jaw appears recessed and their chin is less prominent. This can lead to a less defined jawline and a softer profile that could change with orthodontic treatment.
Supporting facial balance and symmetry
It’s worth saying here that your face doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical, and small differences from one side to the other are completely normal.
With that said, sometimes jaw misalignment can contribute to an uneven appearance around the mouth. For example, some patients with significant crossbites feel that their smile looks a little ‘lopsided’ before orthodontic treatment.
However, some facial asymmetries are unrelated to the position of the teeth which orthodontic treatment won’t help. That’s why it’s best to get a consultation with an orthodontist and get their opinion.
Changes to your side profile
This is often where people notice orthodontic transformations the most.
Your teeth provide support for your lips, so changing the position of significantly protruding or retruded teeth can change the way your lips sit. That can have a noticeable effect on your side profile.
Someone with a pronounced overjet (also called ‘buck teeth’), may see a significant change as those teeth are moved into a healthier position. An overjet causes your upper lip to protrude slightly, which can make your chin appear less prominent and lead to a convex profile.
Of course, everyone’s starting point is different. Your facial structure, bite, tooth position and treatment plan all influence the result. That’s why another person’s before-and-after photos can’t tell you exactly what your own treatment will look like.
Can Braces Change My Face Shape as an Adult?
For children and teenagers who are still growing, certain orthodontic appliances can do more than move teeth – they can help guide jaw development while the bones are still developing. We call this growth modification.
Addressing skeletal imbalances at this stage can help to prevent more complex orthodontic problems later in life, including cases that may otherwise require jaw surgery. That’s why we recommend that children see an orthodontist as early as age 7. Read our article about what age children should see an orthodontist to find out more.
For adults, the picture is a little different. Braces and clear aligners can still correct tooth and bite problems, and these changes can affect the appearance of your smile, lips and lower face.
However, because the jaw has finished growing, orthodontic treatment generally can’t guide its development in the same way it can in children. As a result, changes to your facial appearance may be different or less pronounced than those possible during the growth years. Your jaw position can change, but the shape of your jaw bone won’t.
For more information on clear aligners for adults, read our recent blog post on that topic!
What orthodontic treatment can and can’t change
Orthodontic treatment can do more than straighten teeth. Depending on your starting point, it can improve your bite, change the position of your lips and create a significant improvement in your facial profile.
But there isn’t one guaranteed outcome for everyone.
The potential for change depends on factors including your age, facial structure, tooth position, bite and jaw relationship, as well as the treatment approach.
That’s why the best treatment plans are based on your face, your teeth and your goals, rather than trying to recreate somebody else’s result.
Find out what orthodontics could do for your smile
Curious about what orthodontics could do for your smile and facial profile? The best way to find out is with a personalised assessment. At ethos Orthodontics, we’ll take a look at your teeth and alignment, then explain what treatment could realistically achieve for you.
You might be surprised by just how much can change when your teeth and bite are in the right position.
Find a clinic near you and book a consultation with ethos Orthodontics to find out what’s possible. For more information on what to expect at your first orthodontist appointment, check out our article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can braces change your face shape?
Yes, orthodontic treatment can sometimes change the appearance of your face. Moving teeth into a healthier position can affect the way your lips sit, improve your bite and change your facial profile. How noticeable the change is depends on your teeth, bite, jaw relationship and overall facial structure.
Can braces make your jawline more defined?
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes improve the appearance of your lower face and jawline, particularly if you have a significant bite problem affecting the position of your teeth or jaw. However, braces don’t change the underlying shape of your jaw bone.
Can orthodontic treatment change your face shape as an adult?
Yes, adults can still experience changes to their facial appearance during orthodontic treatment. Braces and clear aligners can move teeth and correct bite problems, which may affect the appearance of your smile, lips and profile. However, adult orthodontic treatment generally can’t guide jaw growth because the jaw has finished developing.
Does orthodontic treatment change your jaw bone?
Orthodontic treatment can change the position of your teeth and, in some cases, influence how your jaws relate to each other. However, braces and clear aligners don’t reshape the jaw bone in adults. For growing children and teenagers, certain orthodontic treatments can help guide jaw development.
Will my face look different after braces?
It might! Some people notice quite a significant difference, while for others the change is much more subtle. Orthodontic treatment can improve your bite, tooth position and lip support, all of which can affect your facial appearance.
Will braces make my face more symmetrical?
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes improve an uneven appearance caused by a misaligned bite, such as a significant crossbite. However, not all facial asymmetry is related to your teeth or bite, so braces won’t necessarily make your face perfectly symmetrical.
