Do Clear Aligners Change Your Face?

Do Clear Aligners Change Your Face?

05/05/2023

You likely already know that orthodontic treatment can straighten your teeth and provide a healthy bite. But what about changing your facial shape with braces and Invisalign? The short answer is yes, but it depends on your particular malocclusion (misaligned bite) and how severe it is as to whether or not it affects you and how much.

Your individual facial characteristics, profile, and the way your face will evolve as you age are all taken into consideration when our orthodontists develop a treatment plan for you. Your best grin will result as a result.

Braces’ Effect on Your Face’s Shape

A flawlessly symmetrical face is relatively uncommon among people. Typically, few people even pay attention to it. Facial asymmetry can, however, be more obvious when the upper and lower jaws develop at different rates or when there is a problem with the jaw’s alignment, such as is frequently observed with an underbite, overbite, or crossbite. The good news is that by balancing the facial characteristics and straightening the jaws, braces and Invisalign can correct an asymmetrical face.

Which orthodontic procedure is more effective for an overbite and underbite?

When the mouth is closed, a patient with an underbite has bottom teeth that are in front of top teeth, which causes the lower jaw to protrude. An underbite is a form of malocclusion in which the changes to the face with the use of braces or Invisalign will probably be noticeable. The lower half of your face will be balanced if the gap between your upper and lower jaw is closed and the upper and lower teeth line up properly. Additionally, it will soften the angle of your chin and give your facial features a more balanced appearance.

In cases when the upper and lower teeth don’t even touch, a patient is said to have an open bite. Usually, the front teeth are impacted. As you can understand, when you close your mouth, the lips have to extend in an effort to cover the teeth. Not to mention the difficulty it causes when eating or biting into food, this can significantly alter the appearance of your face and possibly even make it appear longer.

By closing the gap between the upper and lower arch and assisting the front teeth in making contact, an open bite can be treated with Invisalign or braces. Your lips and cheeks will look better as a result, and your face will appear shorter.

Why Visiting an Orthodontist for Treatment Is Important

Advertisements for teeth-straightening services and clear aligners offered by general dentists are everywhere you look online. However, any type of treatment, including braces and Invisalign, can permanently alter your oral and facial anatomy. That’s why it’s crucial to seek treatment from a licensed orthodontic specialist, even if your dental concerns are minor.

After dental school, an orthodontist completes two to three years of specialised training where they study the intricate details of realigning the jaw and straightening teeth. They are experts at identifying, avoiding, and treating dental and facial anomalies so that patients have a healthy bite, more attractive smiles, and better oral health.

Our orthodontists can use computerized treatment planning to view your teeth, jaws, and face from all angles. By creating a virtual, 3D representation of your smile, they can move each individual tooth to its ideal position and evaluate various outcomes. They also take into account the normal changes that occur in your face as you age, ensuring that tooth movements will harmonize with your facial features and lip position.

The result is a unique smile that complements your facial features, and our orthodontists work to ensure that your treatment outcome is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

As you can see, your diagnosis and your orthodontist’s treatment plan will determine how braces will alter the shape of your face.

At Kettering Dental & Implant Clinic, we can fix your jawline, achieve facial symmetry, or merely straighten up a few slightly misaligned teeth with Invisalign or braces. Before you start treatment, our orthodontist can even create a simulation of your new smile so you can see how beautiful and distinctive it will be. Contact us now to get started!