Braces: Q&A

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Can Wearing Braces Also Alter Your Face Shape/profile?

I have a little asymmetry in my face and have quite a long face. My orthodontist is planning to fit a brace to my top teeth to widen the arch as it is quite narrow and I may need a head appliance at night to help pull my upper jaw slightly forward. My centre bite is also a little out and he is going to move that to the correct place. My teeth aren't that bad and the lower teeth are fine so I don't need a brace there. Can all this be done with just braces and will my face/jaw look better?

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face shape
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1 Doctor Answer | Asked by Jason456 in London, England
+1

It depends largely on your age...

If the jaw bones themselves are out of alignment, it is much more difficult and success is less predictable if you are an adult.  In adults, the amount of widening and moving forward of the upper jaw is quite limited without the help of some oral surgery.  But if the movements are strictly moving teeth, like tipping your top ones forward over the bottom ones for example, it may be more predictable.  It's important to keep in mind that as... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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