How to fix a sunken face after braces

A sunken face caused by braces is a rare occurrence during orthodontic treatment, and it can understandably confuse and worry patients who experience it. So what causes it? Can cheek hollowing from braces be completely reversed? All of your questions are answered clearly in the article below.

How braces work

Today, braces are the best solution for people with dental problems such as protruding teeth, overjet or crooked teeth that affect their appearance and chewing.

Braces work by using brackets or aligners to apply pressure to the teeth and move them into the desired position. However, this strong force can change the jawbone structure in some people, most noticeably causing the cheeks to look hollow.

Many patients feel worried about this. In fact, it is often a sign that your orthodontic treatment is progressing well and reshaping your facial proportions to be more balanced and harmonious.

Besides the way braces work, a sunken face can also have other causes.

Why can braces cause sunken face?

Poor nutrition

To achieve the best possible result when the braces come off, nutrition plays a major role in preventing a sunken face during treatment:

• An overly restrictive diet can lead to loss of appetite. When the body does not get enough nutrients, the fat stored in the cheeks decreases significantly.
• Irregular eating and skipping meals make it difficult for the body to absorb enough nutrients.

It is true that during the first weeks of orthodontic treatment you may feel very uncomfortable and lose your appetite. However, this does not mean you should eat less or skip meals to avoid the discomfort of chewing. On the contrary, you need to get enough nutrients to speed up adaptation and prevent your face from looking sunken during treatment.

Eating habit

A sunken face during braces is partly caused by chewing too little. When the chewing muscles are not used regularly, they shrink, making the cheeks look hollow.

Your dentist will advise you to avoid hard, crunchy foods so that your teeth are not stressed and brackets do not come loose during treatment. To keep chewing regularly every day, eat soft foods and keep your chewing muscles active so that your chewing function is unaffected when the braces come off.

Irregular rest

Prolonged stress or an excessive workload is one of the reasons the face can look gaunt and the cheeks lose a lot of fat.

Improper orthodontic technique

A sunken face during braces can also result from incorrect orthodontic treatment, limited orthodontic skills or a lack of supporting appliances.

A dentist with limited orthodontic experience may use thick archwires and strong, sudden forces that cause pain and increase the risk of loose teeth, tooth loss and a sunken face.

That is why choosing a reputable orthodontic clinic with highly skilled dentists is extremely important.

Can a sunken face from braces be fully reversed?

If your face does look sunken during braces, there is no need to worry too much, as this usually resolves within 3 – 6 months.

To achieve the best orthodontic result, follow your dentist’s instructions on diet and oral care during treatment carefully, and attend regular follow-up visits so your oral health can be monitored.

How to fix the sunken face after braces

The good news is that a sunken face does not happen to everyone who wears braces. Still, to make sure your result is as positive as possible, it helps to know the following:

Follow a suitable diet and rest routine

• Follow a balanced, well-planned diet. People wearing braces should include healthy fats and a variety of vitamins in their daily meals, such as avocado and fresh milk. This stimulates estrogen production under the skin and helps the cheeks look fuller.

• Avoid strict dieting during orthodontic treatment.
• Stay relaxed, get enough sleep and avoid staying up late to keep your body healthy and maintain a healthy weight.

See also: Meal plan for people wearing braces

Choose a quality dental clinic

To minimize potential risks during orthodontic treatment, including a sunken face, you should:

• Take time to research and choose a reputable clinic with highly skilled dentists, modern facilities and many positive reviews from previous patients.
• Review the treatment plan and your dentist’s advice carefully to choose the right orthodontic method.
• Attend regular follow-up visits to monitor your oral health at every stage of treatment.
• Keep a photo diary of your treatment to see the changes month by month.

Viet Han Dental – the leading orthodontic clinic in Nha Trang

As explained above, choosing a reputable orthodontic clinic plays a key role in minimizing problems during treatment. At Viet Han Dental Clinic Nha Trang, we are proud to bring together everything you need to confidently achieve a perfect smile.

Our dentists and specialists

Our dentists and specialists are fully qualified graduates of leading medical universities in Vietnam and abroad, and they keep up to date with the most advanced orthodontic methods every year.

Throughout the treatment, our dentists stay by each patient’s side, helping them stay relaxed and maintain a healthy diet and regular rest.

Quality brackets and aligners

Our brackets, archwires and aligners are genuine imported products that do not deform or shift and do not cause allergies.

A modern clinic environment

At Viet Han Dental Clinic, you will feel completely relaxed in our elegant, soothing blue interior. Our treatment rooms are also specially designed to give every patient privacy and comfort.

With all of the above, Viet Han Dental Clinic is a clinic you can trust with your smile.

Contact us here if you have any questions about braces and orthodontics.

VIET HAN DENTAL CLINIC

Address: 60 Quang Trung, Van Thang, Nha Trang

Hotline: 0787 505 577

Website: nhakhoaviethan.vn

Fanpage: NhaKhoaVietHanNhaTrang