Adult braces resulting in noticeable facial asymmetry

[Erinb84]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to get some information and feedback on the possibility of braces resulting in facial asymmetry.

I had my traditional braces put on in September 2014 and removed late 2016. I had noticed maybe halfway through treatment that my smile and eye seemed to be slightly lopsided but was assured that it was fine.

Once they were removed it was so obvious that my face was completely different to how it once was. My left eyebrow and eye seem to droop, and the left side of my mouth is pinched to one side, making my smile bigger and higher on that side. It seems like my whole facial shape has changed.

To add to the issue, my teeth moved before the plate came in the week after they were removed. I spoke to my orthadontist about my concerns of facial asymmetry from the braces and she said it was impossible from the braces but sent me for an x-ray which showed an occlusal cant. I had no idea I had this even though she said that she was aware from my previous x-ray. Apparently having braces as an adult can make this more noticeable?

I really wish i was told this prior as I am so unhappy with my appearance now. We saved up for 2 years to afford the braces and I look so much worse now than I did with misaligned teeth. It is especially noticeable in photos so I refuse to have any taken.

She has now put invisalign on my teeth free of charge to correct the teeth which moved and also try to disguise the cant and asymmetry but I am so scared that it will somehow become even worse. She has also recommended that I see an oral surgeon to discuss my options. Which upsets me so much as I didn't have an issue with asymmetry until the braces!

I also had to wear elastics on the side which seems to be lopsided for an extended period- could this cause any problems?

Braces have been my worst investment ever. I was happy with how I looked prior but was just a little self conscious about my teeth, and now I absolutely hate how I look :(

Thank you for reading and taking time to reply.

[geeky1978]

Hi there, if it helps I'm exactly the same position.

Basically if your jaws are canted (noticed on the left and right molar heights) the straight wire braces will slant the entire front row of teeth. The only solution is camouflage bracket placement (maybe some elastics on one side to take the edge off).

I'm really not sure how invisalign would work with a cant, since it doesn't require a straight achwire. It does sounds like an interesting option to possibly upright the teeth that are noticeable.

My guess is the orthodontic work has at least given an even bite on both sides?

[geeky1978]

Oh I should have added (can't seem to edit my post), the braces wouldn't have caused the asymmetry. They can only move teeth through existing bone.

Also it's normal to temporarily lose a bit of muscle tone with braces due to avoiding crunching on hard foods (like crunchy snacks, nuts, tough meat, raw carrots and apples etc).

What the braces will have probably done is made you very aware of the underlying issue due to a slight slanting of the front teeth.

[Erinb84]

[quote="geeky1978"]Hi there, if it helps I'm exactly the same position.

Basically if your jaws are canted (noticed on the left and right molar heights) the straight wire braces will slant the entire front row of teeth. The only solution is camouflage bracket placement (maybe some elastics on one side to take the edge off).

I'm really not sure how invisalign would work with a cant, since it doesn't require a straight achwire. It does sounds like an interesting option to possibly upright the teeth that are noticeable.

My guess is the orthodontic work has at least given an even bite on both sides?[/quote]

Thank you so much for your reply. I do have an even bite now, but give me my old face and crooked teeth any day over this!

What you have said does make sense- it looks like my teeth are slanted to one side. Can you please explain what the camouflage bracket placement is?

She said that the invisalign will somehow make it less noticeable- I think by uprighting some teeth as you mentioned above. Do you think this is the best option?

Should this have been something that I should have been made aware of before proceeding with the braces? If I had been told there was a chance that my whole face would appear lopsided post braces because of the cant, then there is no way I would have had got them.

How are you dealing with your similar situation? Its such a shame after the happiness of finally having straight teeth and then this to happen.

Thank you again for your reply.

[geeky1978]

Yes, it's not ideal, but to be honest I've pointed it out to friends and family and they fail to spot it.

The camouflage brackets means putting the brackets slightly on an angle to tilt the front two teeth into more upright position.

The orthodontist can miss it on an xray but they should really have seen it on the models. My ortho took impressions but didn't look at them (he placed the brackets at the same visit by eyes only).

The main thing is not to stress over it. The invisalign might be good since they can see the final result on the computer. Ask them if you can take a look at it.

[SoulfulRetreat]

So sorry this happened to you. I have been reading up on facial changes due to braces for some time. I have been going back and forth on rather I should get braces or not. But, I have always been made fun of my teeth for years, and at the age of 39 I am hoping it will be worth the risk to correct my smile. I am hoping you find some resolution and wish you the best of luck.

[FlyByNight]

My top teeth are slightly slanted. Especially right down the middle. My ortho said it was because my jaw was higher on one side.

[PinkPeep]

I am also dealing with increased asymmetry. I was never perfectly symmetrical to begin with. I am missing teeth on my lower right side, and my invisalign is widening my arches. The lower arch has different resistance on the right side than the left due to the missing teeth and the right side has widened and come forward while the left has stayed where it was. The result is that my lower arch is now noticeably asymmetrical. I really hope it is in the plan to fix it. It makes my smile very crooked

[Heidirs]

I'm sorry this happened to you. It sounds like your ortho is working to correct it. I'd trust they know what they're doing. Hang in there.