Underbite before and after braces face shape
Braces can improve an underbite by aligning teeth, while any change in facial profile depends on jaw growth, bone position, and the treatment plan.
The short answer
Braces can change how an underbite looks by moving teeth, but they cannot reposition a developed jawbone by themselves. Facial profile changes depend on whether the mismatch comes mainly from tooth position, jaw growth, or both.
What happens when the lower front teeth sit ahead?
An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth sit ahead of the upper front teeth when the jaws close. Straightening the teeth may improve lip support and the bite, while a skeletal underbite may need growth guidance in a child or jaw surgery planning in an adult.
How is the tooth and jaw relationship assessed before treatment?
An orthodontist records photographs, dental scans or impressions, and side-view imaging to assess tooth and jaw relationships. Options can include braces, clear aligners, growth modification for a growing patient, or combined orthodontic and surgical care.
When should difficulty chewing or jaw movement be assessed?
Seek an orthodontic assessment if the lower jaw is shifting forward, chewing is difficult, or the front teeth are wearing unevenly. Pain, jaw locking, facial swelling, or a sudden change in the bite warrants prompt dental review.
Is your underbite dental, skeletal, or a mixture of both?
Ask whether your underbite is dental, skeletal, or mixed and what change braces alone can realistically produce. Discuss the expected bite, profile, retention plan, and whether another specialist is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Will braces make my jaw smaller?
Braces move teeth; they do not shrink a developed jawbone. The visible profile effect depends on the original jaw and tooth relationships.
Can an underbite return after treatment?
Teeth can drift without retention, and an underlying jaw discrepancy remains relevant, so follow-up and the prescribed retainer plan matter.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.