Braces changing face and smile?

[Ryoyomo]

I'm going to get braces soon, hopefully. Currently I have a slight overbite, but it's only made worse by the fact that my top row of teeth point outward at an angle (like a horse lol). Because of this my closed mouth smile is awful (my bottom lip protrudes outwards because it overlaps my top row of teeth). My open mouth smile is rather gummy, and I have two big front teeth, so they overlap my bottom lip as well. I have a rather round face, and a small/weak chin compared to the rest of my face + an undefined jawline
I was wondering did anyone else experience this? And do you think braces will fix these problems? I know the jawline fix is highly unlikely to happen, but I can dream right? Lol

[EvilBunny]

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I think my smile got less chubby looking.

[assertives]

I don't think the jawline fix is likely. That would probably require surgery.

I haven't really notice all that much difference in my face/smile, I still think I look spastic when I smile. But the teeth are definitely not as protrusive as before as I extracted 8 teeth and hence do have much lesser teeth than when I first started out.

[Jennilyn]

I’m only 2 weeks in, so right now I’m kinda damned if I do, damned if I don’t...smiling with my mouth closed looks like I’m hiding a mouthful of food or something, smiling with my mouth open looks fake since I rarely smile with my teeth showing.

[adisa]

I have heard that the face tends to slim down with braces and cheekbones get more defined. Don't know if this is the case with the majority of people who wear braces, but I've came across quite often. It also depends on whether you had extractions.

[ladynatalia]

[b]Ryoyomo[/b], how did you get on so far? :)
I think I have a really similar problem and am a bit apprehensive about the facial changes too. I'm having some extractions in two weeks and braces on at the end of March - I really hope that my face does end up looking a bit more balanced and the front teeth hide a little - and that all the effort pays off! :)

[iceman]

[quote=ladynatalia post_id=500336 time=1518518740 user_id=31401]
[b]Ryoyomo[/b], how did you get on so far? :)
I think I have a really similar problem and am a bit apprehensive about the facial changes too. I'm having some extractions in two weeks and braces on at the end of March - I really hope that my face does end up looking a bit more balanced and the front teeth hide a little - and that all the effort pays off! :)
[/quote]

I'm no orthodontist, but please be wary of extractions. They definitely can make the face more narrow and even lengthen it. Not always, but it is possible. Below are some opinions:
https://orthotropics.com/to-extract-or-not/
https://www.realself.com/question/manch ... ter-braces#

Ideally, you'll want to expand your dental arch to have enough space for all your teeth, then just close any gaps and straighten teeth where necessary.
You still have some time. Do a bit more research and decide for yourself. If a second opinion is feasible, please go for it.

[ladynatalia]

[quote=iceman post_id=500347 time=1518533431 user_id=31255]
[quote=ladynatalia post_id=500336 time=1518518740 user_id=31401]
[b]Ryoyomo[/b], how did you get on so far? :)
I think I have a really similar problem and am a bit apprehensive about the facial changes too. I'm having some extractions in two weeks and braces on at the end of March - I really hope that my face does end up looking a bit more balanced and the front teeth hide a little - and that all the effort pays off! :)
[/quote]

I'm no orthodontist, but please be wary of extractions. They definitely can make the face more narrow and even lengthen it. Not always, but it is possible. Below are some opinions:
https://orthotropics.com/to-extract-or-not/
https://www.realself.com/question/manch ... ter-braces#

Ideally, you'll want to expand your dental arch to have enough space for all your teeth, then just close any gaps and straighten teeth where necessary.
You still have some time. Do a bit more research and decide for yourself. If a second opinion is feasible, please go for it.
[/quote]

Well, I've consulted 3 different orthodontists as well as a maxillo-facial surgeon and I've had a million conversations with my orthodontist regarding the extractions and possible consequences. My palate is very narrow and there just isn't enough space for all teeth, I'm 26 so the only way of achieving stable expansion of the arches would be surgery - which the surgeon advised against quoting little benefits to braces treatment compared to the cost/process in my case. My orthodontist told me that it's either extractions or he can try and line my teeth up without taking any out but that would most certainly worsen my overjet and lip incompetence and possibly cause trouble closing my mouth.

I don't think you can really expand the arches of an adult without surgery enough to achieve stable results and avoid problems, I've done my research and seen the websites you quoted - I wasn't convinced by the evidence and discussed it with the surgeon who also was quite skeptical and pointed out why certain claims made there are weak or make little sense.

I don't really have other feasible choice at this stage - if I am really unhappy and horrified with my looks after the treatment, then I'll come back to the surgical team. I know a few people who had braces with extractions in the past and who are happy with the results, so hopefully not all is lost and it can't all be that awful. It can be in my case, but there're risks associated with everything and I feel like I've done enough research/consults to go ahead with this plan.

Thanks for the advice, though.

[iceman]

Great that you got a few opinions and explored different options. Hope the treatment goes successfully!