Braces are an option for some people who wish to correct the appearance of their smile.
Treatments that can straighten teeth include braces and retainers that are custom-made, removable or fixed instruments that wrap the exterior of your teeth and assist in keeping them in place.
Certain features of the face are more receptive to change than others, and this is partially determined by the age at which orthodontic treatment begins. However, when it comes to adult braces and Invisalign treatments, you may have unique queries about how the effects of these types of orthodontic therapies will manifest in your individual appearance.
In this article, we’ll address whether or not braces make your lips bigger.
How do Braces Work?
Braces exert consistent pressure on teeth and jaws to move them into a new position and alter a person’s grin. The archwire is held in position by the brackets that are attached to the teeth. To achieve the desired result, teeth will shift over time.
Read More: Understanding How Long Your Braces Will Take
Will Braces Change My Face Shape?
Your lower lip may appear bigger if you have an overbite of a certain severity. It’s possible that you’ll look better with a little more fullness, depending on your other features. Orthodontic treatment may help patients whose smiles are hampered by significant overbites in bringing their lips together, although this isn’t always the case.
Your facial structure is made up of a variety of components, all of which contribute to the overall look of your face. If you look at someone’s profile picture, you’ll see that they have an overbite, which defines their chin and cheekbones. If you have an overbite, your upper lip may protrude from your mouth in a way that you don’t necessarily like.
Maxillary labial fraenum connects your teeth and lips by way of a muscle connection. When your top lip meets your gums right above your two first teeth, you have the maxillary labial fraenum. All of us are well-acquainted with this fact: Braces function by repositioning the front teeth so that the teeth can be correctly aligned. Some patients’ front teeth are positioned awkwardly behind the remaining teeth, necessitating a surgical procedure to move them forward.
Related: Do Braces Make Your Face Symmetrical?
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Do Braces Change Your Lips and Make Them Look Bigger?
The position of your lips can be altered with braces, but only to the extent that the teeth are directly in front of the shift. In terms of lip volume or form, braces have nothing to do with it.
As an example, if you have an underbite, bringing your upper and lower front teeth together might make your top lip appear fuller and more defined. It’s possible that we can allow your lip to sag a little more if we reposition your protruding front teeth.
Your lips act as a shield to keep others from seeing your smile. They protect you from tooth fractures if you’re smacked in the mouth. Only by altering the foundation against which your lips rest, such as with Invisalign or traditional braces, can you see real results.
If you’re wearing traditional braces with a bracket and wire system, you may notice that your lips appear to be larger. Your teeth and lips’ increased width are to blame for this. Lips don’t get bigger, but they can’t rest as much against your teeth as they normally would until your braces are taken off.
What to Expect from Your Treatment When it Comes to Lip Shape?
Several face structures have an impact on your overall appearance. The jaw bone is responsible for defining your chin and cheeks, for example. An overbite can be easily seen in someone’s profile images because of this. Having a severe overbite can cause your top lip to protrude, which is an unattractive look and feel. Overbite can also make your lower lip appear bigger, depending on the severity of your overbite.
Even if there are tons of images online showing remarkable changes in look following orthodontic procedures, be aware that they are extreme case patients with an overbite.
There are other elements at play, so you may view the bigger lips to be a positive outcome. A strong overbite can prevent your lips from coming into close contact. An orthodontist is necessary for those who are in this position to regain their smile.
It Can Bring Discomfort
Braces that use traditional brackets can cause discomfort in the lips and cheeks before they are removed. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer from chapped lips. Brackets cause a lot of people to have chapped lips.
Initially, the brackets may create little scratches or uncomfortable places on the lips. Orthodontic wax should be used to protect your gums from being irritated by the brackets. To alleviate any discomfort caused by the brackets, orthodontic wax establishes a barrier between them and the patient’s lips. After the mouth and lips get used to the new braces, things should feel normal and as if nothing is there at all.
Many things can be done ahead of time to help patients become more comfortable with their brand-new computer hardware. As they acclimate, these things can help them. Make sure not to pick at the flakes if they appear if you are experiencing this. The mending process will be slowed down if you choose flakes.
Your mouth may feel extremely different when you initially put on your braces, depending on the style of braces you pick. Metal braces, ceramic braces, and gold braces have wider brackets than teeth, making them more noticeable. The brackets may appear to stick out more, and the lips may appear to be fuller. However, unlike Botox injections, this usually does not result in physically larger lips.
What are the Common Issues With Lip Shape During Treatment?
Discomfort Inside the Lips and Cheeks
One of the most common complaints of people with traditional brackets is discomfort on the inside of their lips and in their cheeks before having them removed. A chapped lip is the second most prevalent complaint. Many people have complained of chapping because of the brackets’ tendency to induce their mouths to swell.
You may be able to quit your treatment even before your bite is completely fixed in some cases. Consider doing this if you are worried about the amount of change in the appearance of your lips. You may be able to avoid the long-term negative effects of an overbite if you make sufficient progress. It is also common for people with overbites to struggle with maintaining proper oral hygiene, as it is more difficult to brush and floss teeth that do not fit together properly.
Flakes
Another adjustment time is required for the patient’s facial structure, although they have some control over how quickly and easily they adjust. For someone who is going through this, the most crucial thing is to avoid picking the flake. The mending process is slowed down if the flakes are picked up in any way.
Lips May Appear Fuller
Lips that appear fuller may be viewed favorably in the long run due to the fact that your overall appearance is influenced by a variety of other elements. A severe overbite can prevent your lips from coming into close contact. As a result, an overbite can be easily detected in the profile image. An orthodontist can help restore a person’s smile if they are in this condition.
Consult with Kumra Orthodontics to Learn if Do Braces Make Your Lips Bigger
If you’re self-conscious about your overbite and think braces may make your lips look bigger, consult with a qualified orthodontist to see if this is an option for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get all the information you need before making a decision. With the right treatment plan, you can have the smile of your dreams – even if it means slightly fuller lips!
