At Yankee Valley Dental in Airdrie, our dental braces aren’t just about straightening your teeth—they’re about building confidence, improving your oral health, and yes, even changing your face shape for a more balanced appearance.

A human face is rarely symmetrical. For some people, however, the degree of asymmetry is particularly pronounced due to their jaw alignment or crooked teeth. Dental braces can alter the facial structure by shifting the teeth and jaw, thereby shifting the angles of the face, restoring symmetry.

Let’s have a closer look at how braces can change your face shape.

How Braces Work

Braces apply gentle, consistent pressure via brackets, wires, and bands. This process moves your teeth into proper position, corrects bites, and enhances the alignment of your mouth and jaw structure.

The most common issues we correct with dental braces in Airdrie include:

  • Underbite: When the bottom teeth sit in front of the top teeth, the lower jaw protrudes and appears larger. This imbalance can be corrected with braces, resulting in a more proportionate and softer appearance.
  • Overbite: When the top teeth protrude too far ahead of the bottom teeth, it can cause the appearance of sunken cheeks and a disproportionate chin. By aligning the bite, the facial structure appears more balanced.
  • Open Bite: When the front bottom and upper teeth don’t come together. In severe cases, an open bite prevents the mouth from closing completely. With the correction of braces, the teeth come together, improving the smile and tooth function.

How Can the Face Shape Change after Braces

While not often discussed, subtle changes to your face shape are actually one of the exciting bonuses of dental braces. As your teeth begin to move, the surrounding bone and soft tissues naturally adapt.

When you consider that dental braces are often applied for a span of 12 to 18 months, this can influence jaw alignment, facial symmetry, and overall profile balance. In mild cases, these changes are subtle. But in moderate to severe situations, effects can be more noticeable.

How does the face change after braces?

It’s easy to see the impact that braces have on the look of your teeth, but they can also improve the look of your lips, cheeks, chin, and jawline. Some significant ways that braces can change the facial structure include:

Improves Jaw Alignment

For patients whose bites are misaligned, Airdrie dental clinics apply dental braces to bring the jaw back to a more balanced position. This not only improves the look of your face, but it can also enhance the way you chew and speak.

Improves Asymmetrical Faces

Severe crowding and spacing can make your lips appear uneven or cause one side of your face to lift higher than the other. Using braces to straighten crowding and correct gaps helps restore symmetry to the face, resulting in a more natural and relaxed appearance.

Defines Cheekbones

Orthodontic conditions, such as underbites and overbites, can affect the appearance of the cheeks, causing them to look either too pronounced or sunken. As the jawline is brought back into alignment and teeth begin to straighten, the cheeks are enhanced for a more streamlined appearance.

Improves Bite

Misalignment can affect a patient’s bite, leading to grinding and difficulties with chewing and eating. With dental braces in Airdrie, we can correct these issues, naturally improving the bite. After treatment, our patients report less tooth grinding and a better experience with chewing and eating.

How Age Impacts Facial Changes

Because our bone structure and density change over the course of our lifetimes, the impact of braces on your face shape can vary depending on your age.

Children & Teens

Our younger patients’ growing bodies mean their bones and soft tissues are more flexible. This allows braces to create more noticeable and often dramatic improvements in their facial appearance as they develop.

Adults

Adults can certainly achieve significant facial improvements with braces, though their bones are less pliable. Rest assured, your bone and gum health will be thoroughly assessed by your Airdrie dentist to ensure optimal outcomes from your dental braces.

Why Choose Yankee Valley Dental in Airdrie for Your Dental Braces

Dental braces do more than transform your smile—they can subtly enhance your overall appearance and confidence. Whether you’re in middle school or adulthood, our skilled team at Yankee Valley Dental is here to guide you through your Airdrie dental braces treatment in a way that’s both effective and positive.

Ready to start your transformation? Contact Yankee Valley Dental to book a consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can braces change the shape of my face?

Yes, braces can lead to subtle changes in facial appearance by correcting dental and jaw alignment issues. For instance, addressing an overbite or underbite can enhance facial symmetry and profile.

How do braces affect the jawline?

By aligning the teeth and correcting bite issues, braces can improve the appearance of your jawline. For example, correcting an overbite can bring the upper jaw back, creating a more proportionate look.

Will braces make my lips look different?

While braces don’t directly alter lip tissue, they can affect lip position. As teeth align, lips may appear more or less prominent, depending on the initial alignment.

At what age is the best time to get braces for facial changes?

Younger patients often experience more noticeable facial changes due to ongoing bone development. However, adults can also see improvements, though changes might be subtler.