How will getting braces or Invisalign affect your face?
Orthopedic. It's a big word, but it has a lot to do with your orthodontic therapy. You see, braces don't just change the alignment of your teeth. The orthodontic experience also takes into account other orofacial anatomy, such as your jawline, lips, and overall facial profile. This is especially true in children whose bones are still developing.
Depending on how old you are when you get braces, certain aspects of your face may require more adjustment than others. But when it comes to adult braces and Invisalign treatments, you may have specific questions about how these types of orthodontic therapies affect your individual appearance.
Do braces change your face shape?
This is a very common question, namely:Does Invisalign change your facial shape?
It depends on.
Using braces or Invisalign to adjust the alignment of your teeth means that the soft tissue overlying them, such as your cheeks and lips, will adjust to the new alignment of your bite. This is why a person's face sometimes looks "sunken" when he or she loses teeth. With braces, the change in your facial shape is gradual. It is less evident in adults whose skeletal features are already fully developed.
During your orthodontic consultation, our...Ottawa orthodontist, Dr. Charles Cohen can point out which areas, if any, may change when your teeth are properly aligned. This way, Dr. Cohen will give you an individually appropriate answer if you are wondering "do braces change your face shape".
Do braces change the shape of your nose or make it bigger?
Some people want to know specific details, such as: “Do braces change the shape of your nose?
No they do not. Although braces can adjust the width of your upper jaw, they do not extend into the structures that affect the shape and size of your nose.
But if braces adjust your upper teeth and jaw enough that the shape of your profile in that area changes, it canpossiblemake it seem like your nose looks a little different, especially from the side.
For example, moving the lips more outward or inward will adjust your overall facial profile right next to your nose. As a side effect, it can give the illusion that your nose is changing shape.
Do braces make your nose bigger?No, but if they pull your top teeth back significantly, the completed treatment may give the illusion that your nose is sticking out more than before. But braces alone won't make your nose bigger.
Do braces change your lips and make them look bigger?
Yes, braces can change the position of your lips, but only to the extent that the teeth directly behind them change. It has nothing to do with braces changing your lips in terms of fullness or shape.
For example, if you have an underbite and we align your upper and lower front teeth, the impression of a fuller upper lip may be created. If you have upper teeth that radiate and we move them back a few millimeters, your lip may also fall back slightly.
Your lips form a protective barrier over your smile. If you get hit in the mouth, they protect you from broken teeth. Treatment such as Invisalign or traditional braces will only change the “base” on which your lips rest.
Side note: If you have traditional braces with a bracket and wire system, you may temporarily notice that your lips look larger. This is due to the extra width that is created between your teeth and lips. It's not because your lips are bigger, but because they can't sit that far back against your teeth before the braces finally come off.
Do braces change your jawline?
As Dr. Cohen uses interceptive orthodontics (growth-modifying treatments, also called orthotics) on younger patients, so yes, it is possible that braces and other appliances can adjust the shape and size of your jaws.
Gentlemen,Only braces can change your jawlinewhen you're an adult?
Small. The only way to significantly change your jawline as an adult is through surgical measures. Such medical procedures are usually quite complex and are performed in close collaboration between Dr. Cohen and an oral surgeon.
Does Invisalign change your facial shape, nose, lips or jawline?
Invisalign can also change the position of your lips in some circ*mstances. But with Invisalign there is not so much of a 'buffer' between your teeth and your lips. So you won't see much change in your lip size or profile during the process. However, Invisalign still has the ability to bring your upper teeth into proper alignment, which can secondarily affect the appearance and side profile of your lips.
Because the clear aligners seem to have the least impact on your appearance and daily activities, most of our patients prefer them to traditional braces.
Ready for braces or Invisalign? What to do now...
Understanding the delicate relationship between your facial features and your jaw and tooth alignment is what makes orthodontic therapy such a complex service. Orthodontists like Dr. Charles Cohen takes your physical characteristics, such as your front and side profile, into account when planning your treatment.
The first step in getting braces or Invisalign is to request a consultation at Braces Haven in Barrhaven. Upon arrival, we analyze your face and mouth - such as your lips, chin, jawline, nose and teeth. This way, your personalized orthodontic plan is one that will benefit you overall. It's about more than just teeth!
Once we determine your smile goals, Dr. Cohen examines which type of orthodontic treatment suits you best. You play a direct role in deciding whether you get traditional braces or Invisalign.
Use our form below to book your free consultation.
