The truth about how orthodontics can change your face

The truth about how orthodontics can change your face

Perhaps you have heard that braces “change the face” or that, after wearing them, the nose looks more upturned. It is a very common question, especially among people who are thinking about starting an orthodontic treatment and are not only worried about their teeth, but also about how their face will look.

The answer is clear: braces do not turn up the nose. However, orthodontics can generate some subtle changes in facial appearance, especially in the mouth, lips, and profile area.

Why is it said that braces change the face?

Braces do not modify the structure of the nose, cheekbones, or the full shape of the face. What they do is move the teeth little by little until they are in a more adequate position.

And since teeth are closely related to the lips, the bite, and the facial profile, correcting their position can change the way the lower part of the face looks.

For example, if a person has very protruding upper teeth, their lips may look more projected. After treatment, by improving the dental position, the profile may look more balanced. Not because the nose has changed, but because the relationship between the nose, lips, and chin looks more harmonious.

So, does the nose change with orthodontics?

Not directly. The nose is made of bone, cartilage, and tissues that are not modified by braces.

What can change is the angle between the nose and the upper lip. This happens because, by moving the upper teeth, the lip can settle in a different way. That is why some people feel their nose looks different after the treatment.

In reality, it is not that the nose has turned up. It is that the face can look more balanced.

What changes can be noticed with braces? Each patient is different, but some frequent changes after orthodontics can be:

• A more aligned smile: the teeth look more ordered and the smile visually cleaner.

• Better lip support: by correcting the dental position, the lips can look more balanced.

• Profile changes: especially in patients with very protruding teeth, overbite, or bite alterations.

• Greater facial harmony: when the bite improves, the smile can integrate better with the rest of the face.

These changes are usually subtle, but they can make a big difference in how a person perceives themselves in front of the mirror.

Cases where changes can be more noticeable

Orthodontics can generate more visible changes when there are problems such as dental crowding, open bite, crossbite, or overbite.

In these cases, the treatment does not just seek for teeth to look straight. It also seeks for the bite to function better, for it to be easier to chew, speak, and maintain good dental hygiene.

That is why, before starting a treatment, it is important to perform a complete evaluation. The orthodontist must review the position of the teeth, the bite, the facial profile, and the specific needs of each patient.

So, is it a myth or truth?

Saying that braces turn up the nose is a myth. But saying that orthodontics can slightly change some facial features is true.

The difference lies in understanding that braces do not transform the face completely. What they do is improve the position of the teeth and, as a consequence, they can make the smile, lips, and profile look more harmonious.

If you have doubts about how braces could change your smile or facial profile, the ideal thing is to perform a personalized evaluation. Each face and each bite is different, which is why a specialist will be able to guide you with clarity and tell you which treatment best adapts to your case.