How Common Is It

Message

#1 Post by **aussiebraceface** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:39 pm

Hey

I was wondering how common it is to have facial profile changes due to braces and extractions?

What is the severity if it is?

Thanks

#2 Post by **Boolajoojoo** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:15 am

I am told that my profile has changed quite a lot in the last 10 months, I'm not even halfway done. I have a more prominant jaw-line now... my lower jaw isn't trapped behind my upper incisors any more so my jaw has come forward a bit.

Seems like profile changes are pretty common, but what might change depends on the sorts of problems someone is having corrected.

#3 Post by **danish** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:25 am

some people seem to experience minor facial changes usually for the better and some seem to experience none at all. There are a few cases of patients who experience severe facial changes.

As far as I know facial change really depends on a multitude of factors: what is your orthodontic problem, what kind of treatment do you receive (expander?, extractions?, surgery?, etc), the way you respond to treatment dentoskeletally and craniofacially, etc.

A lot of people loose some weight while undergoing treatment due to problems with chewing correctly and usually the effect of this can be seen on the face. But facial change due to weight loss would have been apparent in the face even if you were not in braces.

Furthermore let's not forget that orthodontic patients grow older while in treatment. The face changes with age regardless of braces. So if the face changes after 1-2 years in braces, this change might not be due to wearing braces alone.

The ortho should be able to predict severe facial change by using computer models, etc. So my advice is to ask the ortho before you begin the treatment.

Danish