Seoul orthodontic clinic: Is the ‘change in face shape’ that happens during orthodontic treatment really real?

Hello, this is S Leader Dental Hospital, a Seoul orthodontic clinic, saying hello.

If you have started orthodontic treatment, you have probably heard someone say, “Your face looks different,” at least once. In fact, if you compare photos before and after treatment, the shape of the mouth may look different, and the jawline may appear more defined. Some people even feel that their face has become smaller or that their contours have become slimmer.

So is this change really a change in the face shape itself, or is it simply a change in impression caused by an optical illusion? By looking at what changes occur anatomically, rather than seeing it as a simple cosmetic effect, you can understand the reason more clearly.

Why does the face look different after orthodontic treatment?

The biggest reason the face looks different after orthodontic treatment is changes in the soft tissues around the mouth and jaw, such as muscles, skin, and fat layers.

Because the teeth are located at the center of the mandible and maxilla among the facial skeletal structures, even a small change in alignment can alter the degree of lip protrusion and the position of the jaw.

In cases of protruding mouth (where the teeth tilt forward), orthodontic treatment is performed to move the front teeth backward. At this time, the lips naturally move inward, adjusting the proportion of the distance between the nose and the chin. As a result, the mouth appears less protruded and the side profile becomes softer.

Conversely, in cases where the teeth are set back (deep bite), treatment moves the teeth forward to correct the bite. In this case, lip volume is restored and the mouth shape improves naturally. In this way, even without moving the bones themselves, orthodontic treatment creates a new balance in the soft tissues as the teeth move in different directions, changing the overall impression of the face.

[Is the change in face shape just an ‘illusion’?]

It is difficult to simply say that the change in face shape after orthodontic treatment is an illusion. That is because muscle tension and chewing patterns actually change.

When the teeth fit together evenly, you can chew food on both sides in a balanced way, and because force is not concentrated in only one area, the facial muscles become more balanced.

In particular, before treatment, many people have habits such as chewing only on one side or barely using the front teeth. These habits can cause one cheek to develop more or make the jawline look asymmetrical, but when the bite becomes stable through orthodontic treatment, these imbalances gradually ease.

In the end, orthodontic treatment is not just about changing the position of the teeth; it is also a process of normalizing the use of the masticatory muscles.

The facial changes created through this process are not simply an optical illusion, but can be seen as structural changes caused by a real readjustment of muscle balance.

Does orthodontic treatment actually affect facial contours?

The effect orthodontic treatment has on face shape itself varies depending on the direction of treatment and the case.

For example, in underbite cases (where the lower jaw protrudes), orthodontic treatment that pushes the teeth backward can reduce the appearance of the lower jaw being excessively forward.

Conversely, in a recessed chin type (where the lower jaw is set back), moving the teeth forward can make the chin tip appear more defined.

In addition, changes in the vertical bite height (the height between the upper and lower teeth) before and after treatment also affect face shape.

If the vertical height is too low, the face can look short and compressed. On the other hand, when the bite height is restored through treatment, the lower face (from below the nose to the chin tip) can naturally lengthen, making the face appear longer and more organized.

In this way, even without directly moving the bones, orthodontic treatment can indirectly change the overall facial proportions simply by adjusting tooth position.

[Why does the face look slimmer during orthodontic treatment?]

There are several reasons why the face may look slimmer during orthodontic treatment.

First, in the early stage of wearing orthodontic appliances, changes in the tension of the muscles around the mouth can temporarily make the cheeks look thinner.

Second, because people tend to avoid hard foods during treatment, weight may naturally decrease or facial fat may diminish, making the contours appear more prominent.

Third, changes in mouth shape caused by the appliance not allowing the lips to fully close can also make the facial line look different.

However, these changes are mostly temporary and occur during the adaptation process. After a certain period, the muscles become accustomed to the new bite, and as the cheek area naturally settles again, the face may stabilize back to its original impression.

Orthodontic results are determined more by 'muscle patterns' than by 'bone structure'.

The key reason orthodontic treatment changes facial impression is the change in how the muscles are used.

For example, before treatment, people with protruding mouths often have difficulty closing their lips, and they may unconsciously develop the habit of pushing the lips forward to close them.

If this habit continues for a long time, the muscles around the mouth can become overdeveloped, making the expression look stronger or the lips appear thicker.

But when orthodontic treatment brings the teeth inward, the mouth can close naturally, the overstrained muscles relax, and the facial expression becomes softer.

Also, when both sides of the masticatory muscles are used evenly through proper alignment, the face becomes more stable and symmetrical. Correcting the habit of thrusting the chin forward can also create a visual effect of reducing a double chin.

In other words, the reason the face seems to have changed shape is mostly due to functional changes in the muscles and restored balance.

Is there a way to objectively evaluate facial changes before and after orthodontic treatment?

To objectively determine whether facial changes after orthodontic treatment are real or an illusion, it is best to perform both profile analysis and 3D CT analysis.

Through profile analysis, changes in the angles of the nose, lips, and chin can be compared numerically, and through 3D scanning, changes in jaw position or soft tissue volume before and after treatment can also be quantitatively evaluated.

Based on this data, you can accurately identify the reality of the change through specific numbers such as “how much the mouth moved inward” or “how much the chin tip moved.”

Therefore, rather than judging that the face shape has changed based only on selfies or photos, it is important to distinguish between functional changes and visual effects through a specialist’s detailed analysis.

[What are the three key factors that determine orthodontic results?]

Direction of tooth movement – Depending on whether treatment moves protruding teeth inward or moves them backward, the direction of changes in mouth shape and contours will differ.

Adjustment of vertical bite height – When the bite height changes, the center of rotation of the jaw changes, which can alter the proportion of the lower face.

Muscle adaptability – Depending on how the muscles adapt to the new position after treatment, the impression may stabilize or temporarily feel awkward.

In the end, changes in face shape can be said to be the result of both changes in tooth position and muscle adaptation.

With Seoul orthodontic clinic S Leader Dental Hospital

Curious about the real changes after orthodontic treatment?

At S Leader Dental Hospital in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, we operate a precision orthodontic system that considers not only tooth alignment, but also jaw position, muscle balance, and the proportions of the mouth.

Using 3D digital analysis equipment, we visually check facial contours and bite changes before and after treatment, and we set the direction of tooth movement appropriate for each individual to create a more natural facial line.

The changes after orthodontic treatment go beyond simple aesthetics and lead to improved jaw joint stability, enhanced chewing function, and restored muscle symmetry.

These results are ultimately the real reason the overall impression of the face changes.

Seoul orthodontic clinic :: S (Leader) Dental Hospital