Got braces a year ago and was told it would not effect my face shape, but my jaw structure has changed. Advice? (photos)

Question

My cheeks have sagged, almost causing jowls and my jaw structure has changed leaving me looking gaunt. Before braces I had two large upper molars removed to create space to allow my back molars to fill the gaps and my wisdom teeth to come in. The gaps are now filled & one wisdom tooth is through but the other is still under. This problem is causing me deep distress and I feel the problem may worsen. Also, my dentist asked if I had lost weight... which I have not, in fact I’ve put on.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Braces will always alter the face; how can they not when the face overlays the teeth, so if you are moving teeth you are moving the face also.The most common reason for needing braces is teeth crowding and there are only three ways to create the needed space to straighten crowded teeth: 1. extract teeth, 2. slenderize teeth, or 3. enlarge the space. Your dentist chose option #1, but to his or her credit molars were removed instead of bicuspids. Had the more commonly removed bicuspid been the teeth removed the negative changes to your face would have been far more profound and negative. The biggest problem with removing second molars is that you are still stuck with underdeveloped dental arches (the cause of your dental crowding in the first place). Underdeveloped dental arches will adversely affect facial aesthetics and potentially lead to a compromised airway and TMJ because your genetic potential is never fully expressed.The only way to potentially improve your facial aesthetics, airway and TMJ is to enlarge your dental arches.Good luck!

Vicki Borowski, DDS · Answer

It is true that moving teeth with braces can and often will alter the shape of a persons face. I suggest going for a second orthodontic opinion. You may need to go back into braces to correct the things you are unhappy about.

Got braces a year ago and was told it would not effect my face shape, but my jaw structure has changed. Advice? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Got braces a year ago and was told it would not effect my face shape, but my jaw structure has changed. Advice? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Braces

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.