Facial contour/profile

[~KMG~]

Hi everyone....

I have only been in my braces for 2 1/2 months, but I have had several people comment on the appearance of my face. I have heard two things...my cheek bones look more defined and I look more youthful. Now, I have lost 10 pounds since getting my braces due to my altered eating habits, so I think most of the "change" could be attributed to that. I am just curious if others with basic orthodontic issues have experienced facial changes as a result of braces? I can assume that individuals with complex cases, i.e., major jaw/bite issues, but what about those with less complex cases?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[bedazzlemouth]

I'm nine months braced and no facial changes here. It is likely do to losing the 10 lbs. When I lose weight it shows in my face first...wish I could do it now!

[Snowglobe32]

I haven't noticed any changes, other than the fact that I lost 25 lbs, but my co worker said she noticed my face shape has changed. Who knows...

[SilverGirl]

I got major, major cheekbones from my braces pulling my mouth forward - which I love! I also feel that my lips look more full. My teeth are almost in place, and as far as face-structure change, I do feel that the bottom of my face is a little more squared off than it used to be. I have a heart-shaped face, and it's not quite as tapered as it was (in a good way).

[MisAligned]

I also think my cheekbones are more prominent. I had figured it was secondary to a combination of the bulk of my braces pulling my lips forward and my molar build-ups lengthening my face... just a guess, though.

[Plumcore]

My dad said that since i had my lowers in, and they started working, it looks like my lower jaw is more..wide? I think he imagined it though. Though i have had people tell me my profile changed a bit.

[~KMG~]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Regardless of what caused the change, I will take the cheekbones and the "youthful" compliments!

[SlimZippy]

My cheekbones definitely became more pronounced after the first two months. My orthodontist noticed it and asked if I had lost weight as she said a lot of her patients do. I weighed the same on the scales so the change must have been due to the action of the braces. It was a good change though!

[jambo532]

My face did change and is still changing. When I first got braces I was told I looked thinner (not a good thing for me), even though I did not lose any weight. Now that my bottom jaw is being pulled forward my face is changing again. All part of the process I guess.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

[sarahorsomeone]

I've had braces twice, the first time round to correct a very bad overjet (about 12mm) and the second time in preparation for jaw surgery.

Obviously my face changed a lot after surgery, but even the first time I had braces I noticed a big difference. My overjet was so bad it kind of distorted the soft-tissue around my mouth in quite a disfiguring fashion (even my own mother didn't like my appearance) so I looked a fair bit better once my teeth had been brought in (although still pretty terrible until I had surgery).

[JD33]

My pallet is narrow so my ortho informed me that some facial structural changes might occur and even noticed once I'm done with braces. I embrace the changes.

Also she measured my face to determine the optimal positioning of different features. By using measurements she can better determine which adjustments need to be made so I fall with in the standard means.

[marc23]

@KMG: Could you tell me in how far your bite is wrong (overbite, overjet, ...)?