Do Braces & Clear Aligners Change Your Face Shape?

Braces and Invisalign are two of the most common types of orthodontic treatment, helping millions of patients get a perfectly straight smile and a healthy bite.

However, one very common concern people have with these treatments is whether they will end up changing their facial features and, if so, how drastic will these changes be.

Keep reading this short blog post to find the definitive answer.

How Do Braces and Invisalign Affect Your Facial Features?‍

Both Invisalign and braces change the position of the teeth by applying pressure to them. During this process, however, it’s not just the teeth that may change.

The soft tissues that surround them, such as the lips and the cheek, will also change in order to readjust to the patient’s new tooth alignment. 

However, it’s important to understand these changes occur gradually, and are usually not very dramatic, though it can depend on the alignment issues you are dealing with. For instance, if you are dealing with an underbite, where your lower teeth go in front of the upper teeth, fixing this issue can lead to a more significant change in your appearance.

Moreover, the chances are less dramatic for adults, as their facial muscles and bones have finished developing.

Do Braces or Invisalign Change the Size of Your Nose or Other Facial Features?‍

No, orthodontic treatment will not change the size or shape of your nose, but it can appear as it does because the angle of the lips may change slightly after getting these treatments.

Any changes in your face will often be subtle, but you will still look like yourself. The only difference is that you will have a straight smile and healthy bite!

Which Will Impact the Face Less: Invisalign or Braces?‍

Braces are often used to treat more severe cases of bite and tooth alignment issues, so in terms of how dramatic the results will be, braces outperform Invisalign.

Though it’s quite effective, Invisalign is mostly used to treat mild to moderate cases. Braces are able to apply a lot more pressure on the teeth, which is why they are used in cases where the teeth need to be rotated or have to migrate a lot to improve their positioning.

If you’re wondering which treatment is best for you, you will need to speak to an orthodontist who can perform a thorough assessment and help you decide which of the two treatments will be most beneficial for you.

Get a Perfectly Straight Smile at Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics‍

Dr. Molly Hottenstein is here to help you get a healthy and happy smile with expert orthodontic treatment designed for your convenience.

Find out the best path towards a straight smile and healthy bite by booking a consultation at Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics in Wyomissing.

For more information about our services, feel free to call us at (484) 258-2299 for a short chat.