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candygrrrl wrote:In the year since I was first expanded and braced, I noticed a significant change to my facial shape. Some orthodontists are in denial about these changes, telling patients that braces "move teeth, not bone." Or that they've aged or lost weight.
Although my orthodontist never mentioned facial changes to me prior to treatment, nor was it written anywhere in the pages of documentation given to me beforehand, she at least admitted to me when I queried her that yes, almost all her adult patients experienced facial changes, regardless of whether they were expanded or not. Even my periodontist during my last visit said, "How do you like your new face?" She then elaborated and told me that of course braces move bone and most orthodontic patients undergo some kind of change to their facial structure. Some people like them, some don't. Again, I'm astonished that these changes were only acknowledged after the fact.
To be honest, I'm not happy with the changes. Had I known that I would lose my naturally round, youthful face and end up looking like a hollowed out anorexic stupor model, I most probably would never have done this. Is the trade off – straighter teeth, a proper bite, and improved dental health worth it? I honestly don't know . . .
i knew this wasnt my imagination...*shakes in fear*...stupid vanity...what happens now...straight teeth, but hilary duff...results...(referring to hilary duff's weight loss and suddenly long horsey looking face) im going to go cry now...and floss
candygrrrl wrote:In the year since I was first expanded and braced, I noticed a significant change to my facial shape. Some orthodontists are in denial about these changes, telling patients that braces "move teeth, not bone." Or that they've aged or lost weight.
Although my orthodontist never mentioned facial changes to me prior to treatment, nor was it written anywhere in the pages of documentation given to me beforehand, she at least admitted to me when I queried her that yes, almost all her adult patients experienced facial changes, regardless of whether they were expanded or not. Even my periodontist during my last visit said, "How do you like your new face?" She then elaborated and told me that of course braces move bone and most orthodontic patients undergo some kind of change to their facial structure. Some people like them, some don't. Again, I'm astonished that these changes were only acknowledged after the fact.
To be honest, I'm not happy with the changes. Had I known that I would lose my naturally round, youthful face and end up looking like a hollowed out anorexic stupor model, I most probably would never have done this. Is the trade off – straighter teeth, a proper bite, and improved dental health worth it? I honestly don't know . . .
i knew this wasnt my imagination...*shakes in fear*...stupid vanity...what happens now...straight teeth, but hilary duff...results...(referring to hilary duff's weight loss and suddenly long horsey looking face) im going to go cry now...and floss
I haven't really noticed a change in the length of my face. But, I have noticed a change in my mouth, it looks like I got collegen or something because my lips are so full now! This is due to the braces and because my teeth were tilted back before and now they're straight.
I don't mind really, but I don't use those "lip plumpers" anymore, they make me look like Ms. Jolie!!!
To be honest, I'm not happy with the changes. Had I known that I would lose my naturally round, youthful face and end up looking like a hollowed out anorexic stupor model, I most probably would never have done this. Is the trade off – straighter teeth, a proper bite, and improved dental health worth it? I honestly don't know . . .[/quote]
i knew this wasnt my imagination...*shakes in fear*...stupid vanity...what happens now...straight teeth, but hilary duff...results...(referring to hilary duff's weight loss and suddenly long horsey looking face) im going to go cry now...and floss
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At least after orthodontics, you will have a correct bite. Worrying about a longer, slimmer face seems more vain than deciding to seek out an orthodontist to get the perfect bite.
FWIW, I think Hillary Duff is pretty. Perhaps not as cute as she was before getting the large veneers but to each her own....
Ceramic Braces and RPE, estimated treatment 18 months
My face definitely looks longer.
The gelb keeps my bite open.
I suppose it's possible that treatment may open my bite some since my teeth are all wonky, but I know it won't be as bad as the gelb.
I have to remind myself..."only three months" before it goes in the trash.
This is a really interesting thread. I have noticed my face changing over the past year and have been wondering about it. My face definitely looks longer and thinner - I even had someone come up to me a while ago asking if I was ok because my face looked thinner (and I'm the same weight). I also seem to have got a bit jowly - which is worrying. I wasn't warned about the changes by my Ortho either.
Damon3 upper & lowers
plus bite turbos on upper front teeth and one elastic closing a gap on front lower teeth and one closing a gap on upper front teeth. Elastics on hooks both sides.
Interesting topic! I was recently braced (1/31) and had my SARPE on Feb.1. I have a very narrow top arch, almost v-shaped, that has my top teeth very, very crowded. I don't have a wide smile, but all the orthos I had consulted before my surgery said the same thing. That I would end up with a wider-looking face after expansion and braces. I have kind of a longer face now, but am looking forward to the bonuses of correcting my palate & teeth.
I never really associated having a longer face with braces. Hopefully in my case, the opposite will occur. In the long run though, it seems that optimal dental health outweighs the vanity part....in my opinion.
I'm SO glad I'm not the only person who has noticed having hollowed cheeks since getting braced! I HAVE lost a bit of weight with having the braces, mainly because of having to change my eating habits.
I think it also has to do with the fact that I purse my lips together in order to fully close them. Maybe we should all do lip exercises and SMILE, rather than keeping out lips closed. I wonder if puffing out our cheeks a few times a day would help, also? <silly>
Jembrace
1st wire change June 2007
~No dream is ever lost if we never cease to try~
Moody Blues
Jembrace wrote:I'm SO glad I'm not the only person who has noticed having hollowed cheeks since getting braced! I HAVE lost a bit of weight with having the braces, mainly because of having to change my eating habits.
I think it also has to do with the fact that I purse my lips together in order to fully close them. Maybe we should all do lip exercises and SMILE, rather than keeping out lips closed. I wonder if puffing out our cheeks a few times a day would help, also? <silly>
Jembrace wrote:I'm SO glad I'm not the only person who has noticed having hollowed cheeks since getting braced! I HAVE lost a bit of weight with having the braces, mainly because of having to change my eating habits.
I think it also has to do with the fact that I purse my lips together in order to fully close them. Maybe we should all do lip exercises and SMILE, rather than keeping out lips closed. I wonder if puffing out our cheeks a few times a day would help, also? <silly>
Jembrace
hm..facial exercises? do those work?
I thought facial exercises will only help toning facial muscles.. which in turn would only make your face look slimmer...
I've had four teeth extracted and I'm starting to notice my face has gotten a little longer as well. I don't know if it's trying to keep my lips over my braces, but I've also noticed that when I look in the mirror, my expression makes me look like I'm constantly annoyed.
Has anyone else noticed a change in their natural expression?
keeps my bite open. 
