face looking different

[CountessDeSangre]

So I heard that those who have had extractions will face from facial changes and possible weight loss. I've had 4 extractions in total (all four 1st premolars.... BYE BYE!)

And it's a little over 5 months into my treatment time. I've been looking in the mirror lately and I've noticed that my smile lines have severely diminished. Is this because I'm not longer able to eat as I used to or it is the underlying skeletal structure that is changing causing the skin to appear to change?






End of serious question now time for some silly and frivolous worries: Frankly I'm a little sad to see my smile lines go away, I'd prefer smile lines to, say, FROWN lines... What if by the end of my three years my teeth look great but I don't like my face?

[diegorgeous]

isn't this supposed to be a good thing?? for some reason i feel as though the less smile/frown lines you have, the younger/better you would look

[CountessDeSangre]

Well I already don't look my age as it is. Before the braces I would walk by my old high school and the security guards would yell at me to get to class. I graduated from there five years ago. I could to to a movie theater and purchase a child's ticket with no one being any the wiser.

And if I had to choose between smile lines or frown lines I'd pick the smile lines. At least it means I SMILE, so I'm friendly and happy rather than a great big grump.

[diegorgeous]

I'm getting a little bit confused. I thought smile lines and frown lines were the same.

Also, im' assuming with extractions and pushing teeth inwards, it would reduce smile/frown lines because there is less tension in closing the mouth and just your mouth at rest in general. I would think that when the teeth are pushed more outwards, smile lines/frown lines increase. Is this right?

From what i've heard when you already have a protrusive or crowded profile, when you have your teeth pushed in, it creates a more feminine peaceful look than a frowny tensioned exaggerated features type of look.

I too had all 4 first premolars taken out and my teeth are being pushed back and i would love for any smile lines i have to disappear.

Looking younger my pay off in the long run as you age...maybe not now hehe

[CountessDeSangre]

I suppose they are the same lines but I guess on certain people they look different. Like the lines I used to have looked sort of cheerful and happy but then I see the same lines on someone else and they're like the grinch or scrooge haha.

[prose]

I had four extractions done right after Thanksgiving, after having been braced November 2nd. I've lost 9 pounds since bracing day, which is ok by me. But, like some of the other posts, it seems like my smile isn't shaped correctly any more. Husband's co-workers at a Christmas party last night were asking my husband if I was sick...with the thinness of my face and the weight loss...even though they knew about the bracing. Although my teeth were never straight and pretty, people used to compliment me on my smile. I sure hope those days return!

[BracedInNOLA]

prose, I'm sure the compliments on your smile were largely a part of your whole demeanor when you smiled. A smile that results in compliments isn't normally limited to just the mouth area.

[t1ckalish]

I too have had 2 first premolars extracted on the uppers and 1 lower first premolar. I've got an overbite and overjet which is currently being corrected and I'm almost 6 months into treatment (top brace only). I notice two lines either side of my mouth appear more prominent at the moment - not overly pleased with it, and my husband says you can tell that my lips appear to have moved back.

Your smile lines will come back eventually, you'll just look younger for longer.. a major plus in my book :-)