Does wearing braces make your teeth look bigger after you've taken them off?

Question

My friends and I were looking at pictures and noticed that the people who previously had braces looked like they had teeth that were bigger than those that didn't. Does wearing braces push your gums back?

Answer 1

I've had braces, and so have a lot of my friends. I personally felt that my teeth looked bigger, but then I realised that I hadn't seen them without braces on them for a while, and probably wasn't used to seeing them normally. Another thing that might make them look bigger is if the teeth were very badly positioned in the mouth to begin with, on angles and such. If the teeth then become straightened, they may look bigger. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Get over it, they're just braces. Be thankful your parents are able to afford them. Do you want to have them again in 20 years? I doubt it. Suck it up and get through the next 9 months. The orthodontist is right when it comes to stuff like that. And braces really aren't that bad. Sure, food gets stuck and they can be painful, but it's certainly worth having pretty teeth when they come off. They're only "negatively affecting" your life because your letting them.

Answer 3

of course not! there is no way that it's possible to get bigger teeth by trying to rotate and reposition your teeth. maybe it's some kind of optical illusion that you see, but your teeth will not be able to grow more dentin, pulp, enamel, etc. just by moving them. however, it is possible to shorten your roots if your teeth move too quickly, but that's below the gum line. maybe it looks bigger because they're teeth are close together and equally positioned to look as if they grew.

Answer 4

Umm yeah, I have seen these photos of this nasty lookin beezy and when she smiles she looks like Mr.Ed.

Answer 5

Of course, just look to your left! lol

Answer 6

I guess so... my bilingual boss & my retarded speaking co-worker think so.... so I suppose so!

Answer 7

No.