Do braces reshape your face?

Braces are a great way to straighten or shift your teeth — improving both aesthetics and function. Fixed braces can also benefit the long-term health of your teeth and gums, and make eating easier by distributing bite pressure more evenly.

Do Braces Change Your Face Shape?

Choosing braces or Invisalign to adjust the alignment of your teeth can subtly impact the soft tissues around your mouth — such as your cheeks and lips. That’s why people sometimes notice facial changes when their teeth are lost or replaced. With orthodontic treatment, these changes are gradual and usually more subtle in adults whose facial bones are fully developed. During your consultation, our orthodontist can advise if any noticeable facial changes are likely in your case.

Do Braces Change Your Nose?

Some patients ask: “Do braces change the shape of your nose?” The answer is no — braces don’t directly affect the shape or size of your nose. However, changes to your jaw or bite alignment can alter the appearance of your facial profile, which may create the illusion of a slightly different nose shape from the side. This is especially true if your lips move forward or back as part of your treatment.

Do Braces Make Your Nose Look Bigger?

Braces won’t make your nose bigger. In some cases, if your upper teeth are pulled back significantly, it might make your nose appear more prominent in your profile — but this is just an optical effect, not an actual change to your nose.

Do Braces Make Your Lips Look Bigger?

Braces can influence the position of your lips — but not their actual size or shape. If we bring your upper and lower teeth into better alignment (e.g. correcting an underbite or overjet), it can make your lips appear fuller or more balanced. Your lips essentially rest on the base of your teeth, so repositioning that base naturally affects their profile.

Also, if you’re wearing traditional metal braces, you may temporarily notice your lips look slightly more prominent. This is due to the added space taken up by brackets and wires — it’s not a permanent change and will resolve once your braces come off.

Can Braces Change Your Jawline as an Adult?

Only slightly. Significant jawline changes in adults usually require surgical orthodontics — a more complex treatment that combines braces with the expertise of an oral surgeon. Braces alone can improve bite alignment, but major changes to jaw shape typically need surgery.

Can Invisalign Change Your Face Shape?

Invisalign can also affect lip position, but to a lesser extent than traditional braces. Because aligners are thin and removable, they don’t create a buffer between the lips and teeth. However, if your treatment plan includes pulling teeth back or realigning your bite, this can still subtly impact your facial profile — especially around the lips and chin.

Many patients prefer Invisalign because the clear aligners have the least visual impact and fit easily into everyday life.

Ready to Get Braces or Invisalign?

Understanding how your facial features, bite and jawline interact is an important part of treatment planning. At Whites Dental, our orthodontic team will assess your smile from every angle — including your lips, chin, jawline, nose and teeth — to ensure the results benefit your full facial profile, not just your teeth.

Once we understand your goals, we’ll recommend the most suitable type of braces or Invisalign for your needs. You’ll be fully involved in the decision, with expert guidance from our team.

To find out more about how orthodontic treatment could transform your smile — and possibly your profile — book a free consultation or speak to our dental team today. We’ll provide honest, personalised advice to help you move forward with confidence.

For more details, visit our orthodontics homepage.

At Whites Dental, we offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments including fixed braces, Invisalign, Damon Braces, Fastbraces, Six Month Smiles, Lingual Braces and traditional metal braces. We serve patients in London Waterloo & Paddington.