While the physical size of the lips themselves does not change after braces are removed, their profile and prominence often appear different. Lips are soft tissue structures whose resting position is directly influenced by the underlying support of the teeth and jaws. As orthodontic treatment changes this foundation, it alters the visual relationship between the lips and the rest of the face, frequently making the lips appear less prominent than they did during treatment.
The Reason Lips Appear Fuller During Treatment
The perception of fuller or more projected lips while wearing braces is a temporary, physical phenomenon caused by the mechanical intrusion of the orthodontic hardware. Brackets, wires, and attachments add physical bulk that directly pushes the soft tissue of the lips outward.
Traditional metal or ceramic brackets can add a thickness of a few millimeters to the front surface of the teeth. This increase in volume acts like a spacer, temporarily propping the lips away from the teeth’s surface and forcing them to adapt to a more forward position.
This outward pressure creates the visual illusion of a plumper lip profile. Once the hardware is removed, the lips instantly lose that physical bumper. The immediate absence of this bulk is why lips may seem to recede or appear less full right after the braces come off.
How Tooth Movement Affects Lip Profile
The most significant and lasting change to the lip profile comes from the actual repositioning of the teeth and supporting bone. Unlike the temporary bulk of the brackets, the movement of the teeth creates a new, permanent foundation for the lips to rest upon. This change is the intended goal of the treatment.
For patients with protruding front teeth, treatment often involves the retraction of the anterior (front) teeth. This process moves the incisors backward into the dental arch, which directly pulls the overlying soft tissue of the lips inward. Studies show the upper lip often retracts by an average of 60-70% of the distance the upper incisor moves back, with the lower lip retracting by a similar ratio.
Conversely, if the orthodontic plan involved expanding the dental arch or moving the front teeth slightly forward, the lips would gain more support and potentially maintain or increase their projection. The final shape of the lip profile is a reflection of the precise skeletal and dental changes achieved during the treatment.
What to Expect in the Weeks Following Removal
The immediate post-braces period is characterized by a settling phase as the soft tissues adjust to the dramatic change. The lips and surrounding muscles, like the orbicularis oris, have spent months or years adapting to the presence of the braces. They need time to “re-learn” their natural resting position without the appliances acting as a spacer or anchor.
This muscular and soft tissue settling can take several weeks to a few months before the final, stable lip profile is achieved. Minor irritation or swelling from the removal process quickly subsides, allowing the lips to relax fully against the newly aligned teeth.
Maintaining the newly established lip profile requires strict adherence to the retention phase. The retainer prevents the teeth from relapsing, or shifting back, toward their original position. Without consistent retainer wear, the teeth may move, negatively impacting the stability of the corrected lip position. The final appearance of the lips is dependent on maintaining the stability of the orthodontic correction.