The idea that braces can refine or reshape the jawline is a common query for people considering orthodontic treatment. While the primary goal of orthodontics is to correct malocclusion, or a “bad bite,” and align teeth for better function, these mechanical adjustments frequently result in secondary aesthetic improvements to the lower face and profile. The relationship between your teeth, jaw position, and surrounding soft tissues is tightly integrated, meaning any change to one component can affect the appearance of the others.
The Direct Answer: Braces and Facial Aesthetics
Braces and clear aligners can influence the appearance of your jawline, though the changes are typically subtle and are a byproduct of tooth movement, not direct bone reshaping. Orthodontic forces apply gentle, continuous pressure to the teeth, stimulating bone remodeling, which allows teeth to shift within the alveolar bone. This process successfully repositions teeth and improves the dental arch relationship. For most adults, this tooth movement alone will not significantly change the underlying skeletal structure of the mandible or maxilla. The improvement in the jawline’s definition usually comes from harmonizing the bite and altering the soft tissue drape around the mouth.
How Dental Alignment Influences Lower Facial Structure
A major factor in a defined jawline and balanced profile is the way the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks are supported by the underlying teeth. When teeth are crowded or protrude excessively, they push the lips forward, which can create a strained appearance or an unbalanced profile. Correcting malocclusions, such as a severe overbite or underbite, directly alters this soft tissue support.
Correcting Protrusion (Overbite)
In cases where upper teeth protrude (Class II malocclusion), the orthodontist may retract the maxillary incisors, often after the extraction of premolars to create space. This retraction causes the upper lip to move backward. This posterior movement reduces lip prominence, increases the angle between the nose and the upper lip (the nasolabial angle), and can help the chin appear more defined relative to the new lip position.
Correcting Retrusion (Underbite)
Similarly, correcting an underbite (Class III malocclusion), where the lower jaw appears to jut forward, can soften the facial profile. By retracting the lower incisors and aligning the bite, the lower lip and chin position shift slightly inward. This realignment reduces the prominence of the lower face, resulting in a more proportionate and symmetric appearance of the jawline.
The movement of teeth can also improve facial symmetry, especially in individuals with crossbites or other asymmetrical bite problems. By guiding the teeth into a proper arch form, the muscles around the jaw may adapt, reducing strain and allowing the lower face to achieve a more harmonious balance.
Skeletal Modification: When Treatment Requires Jaw Surgery
When the jawline discrepancy is caused by a significant mismatch in the size or position of the jaw bones themselves, standard orthodontic treatment is insufficient. These severe skeletal irregularities, such as an extremely small or large lower jaw (mandible) or upper jaw (maxilla), require a combined approach known as surgical orthodontics.
This treatment involves orthognathic surgery, which is a procedure performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to physically reposition the jaw bones. The surgeon cuts and moves the maxilla, mandible, or both, securing them in their new, corrected position with small plates and screws. This procedure is reserved for misalignments too severe for tooth movement alone and results in significant changes to the jawline and overall facial structure.
Braces are worn before and after the surgery to align the teeth precisely, ensuring they fit together properly once the jaws have been repositioned. For patients with severe functional and aesthetic concerns, this two-part treatment provides the most comprehensive correction, resulting in a significantly defined jawline and improved facial balance. The decision to pursue this path is made jointly by the orthodontist and the surgeon after a thorough evaluation of the skeletal structure.