The question of whether braces can fix a face altered by chronic mouth breathing is common, as this breathing pattern significantly affects facial development. Chronic mouth breathing, especially during childhood, often leads to a distinct set of facial changes sometimes called “long face syndrome” or “adenoid face.” These changes result from a disruption of the natural forces that guide jaw and facial structure growth. This article explores how mouth breathing alters the face and details the role of orthodontic treatment in addressing these changes.
Defining the “Mouth Breathing Face” and Its Underlying Mechanism
The physical changes associated with chronic mouth breathing stem from altered muscle function and tongue posture. When breathing through the nose, the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth (the palate) with the lips sealed. This upward pressure acts as an internal orthopedic force, encouraging the upper jaw (maxilla) to grow wide and forward, supporting a well-developed mid-face and nasal airway.
Chronic mouth breathing requires the lips to stay open and the tongue to drop to the floor of the mouth to create a clear oral airway. This lowered tongue posture removes the guiding force from the palate, allowing surrounding cheek and lip muscles to exert unbalanced pressure on the developing jaws. The lack of internal support causes the upper jaw to grow narrow, leading to a high, vaulted palate and insufficient space for the teeth.
This altered growth pattern affects the lower jaw (mandible), often causing it to rotate backward and downward. The resulting facial profile is characterized by increased lower facial height, a recessed chin, a narrow dental arch, and lip incompetence (the struggle to seal the lips without strain). These skeletal and dental discrepancies often result in malocclusions, such as open bites or posterior crossbites.
Identifying the Root Causes of Mouth Breathing
Before any attempt at correction, it is necessary to identify the physiological reason a person cannot consistently breathe through their nose. Orthodontic appliances cannot fix the underlying cause of the breathing habit. Chronic mouth breathing usually involves some form of airway obstruction that forces the body to compensate by breathing orally.
Frequent causes include chronic allergies and nasal congestion that swell the nasal lining, making airflow difficult. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils are a common obstruction, particularly in children, as they block the nasal and throat passages. A deviated septum or other anatomical issues within the nose can also prevent adequate nasal airflow. Addressing these obstructions is a prerequisite for establishing permanent nasal breathing, which is necessary for long-term facial and dental stability.
The Role of Braces and Orthodontic Appliances in Correction
Braces and orthodontic appliances are highly effective at correcting the dental consequences of mouth breathing. Traditional braces and clear aligners can successfully straighten misaligned teeth, close an open bite, and correct the malocclusion that developed due to the altered jaw structure. By normalizing the dental arches and improving the bite, these treatments optimize the relationship between the upper and lower teeth, supporting overall oral function.
Traditional braces primarily move teeth and normalize the dental arch, but they have limited ability to reverse severe skeletal discrepancies, particularly in adults whose facial bones are fully fused. For younger patients who are still growing, specialized growth-modifying appliances, such as palatal expanders, can widen the narrow upper jaw. This expansion creates space for crowded teeth and increases the volume of the nasal airway, facilitating easier nasal breathing. Significant skeletal change in adults often requires a more invasive approach, such as surgically assisted expansion or orthognathic surgery, to correct long-standing skeletal issues.
Comprehensive Treatment Approaches Beyond Braces
True correction of the “mouth breathing face” requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach focused on establishing and maintaining permanent nasal breathing. A consultation with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist is often the first step to remove airway obstructions. This may involve procedures like an adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy to clear blocked passages, or surgery to correct a deviated septum. Removing the physical barrier is essential to allow for effortless nasal breathing.
Beyond clearing the airway, myofunctional therapy is a non-orthodontic intervention often more important than braces for lasting facial change. This therapy involves a series of exercises to retrain the oral and facial muscles. The goal is to correct improper swallowing patterns, achieve a complete lip seal, and establish the proper resting position of the tongue against the palate. Retraining the tongue and facial muscles provides the functional forces necessary to maintain corrected dental and skeletal alignment after orthodontic treatment.