Orthodontic Guide: Ascend Your Smile, Jaw, and Face

[pslturi]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

 

[Thodian]

DNR but mirin effort

 

[pslturi]

DNR but mirin effort

nigga saw this thread in the first 0.3 secs of it being posted wtf

 

[brootaldood]

read it all

 

[pslturi]

read it all

what did you think?

 

[brootaldood]

what did you think?

Definitely useful for a lot of people and its been a while since I have seen a actually useful thread on here

 

[pslturi]

Definitely useful for a lot of people and its been a while since I have seen a actually useful thread on here

thank you brocel

 

[pslturi]

BUMPPP

 

[Sage]

mirin

 

[Jenson]

really nice guide

 

[pslturi]

mirin

really nice guide

thanks lads

 

[Sage]

thanks lads

Tbh got an overbite and crossbite it’s over

 

[seer☦︎]

Mirin.

 

[Mr. Squarepants]

BUMP

 

[Nodal]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

bruh this was a good topic you could have covered a lot of thing this is vague the thread isnt bad but
imo you could have explained more

but its a short thread so thinking this on purpose decent thread overall but had so much potential as a topic

 

[pslturi]

bruh this was a good topic you could have covered a lot of thing this is vague the thread isnt bad but
imo you could have explained more

but its a short thread so thinking this on purpose decent thread overall but had so much potential as a topic

most of the other things i could have said are already in BOTB

so it’s pretty much no point to put a lot of things into a thread that have been said 100x over.

but ofc i do get what you mean..

@76.1 asked for a thread on this so i made it abit simple and didn’t go into alot of detail just some of the main things

 

[Nodal]

most of the other things i could have said are already in BOTB

so it’s pretty hate to put a lot of things into a thread that have been said 100x over.

but ofc i do get what you mean..

@76.1 asked for a thread on this so i made it abit simple and didn’t go into alot of detail just some of the main things

in a subforum full of ai slop garbage

this is gold
and i appreciate users who make threads to help others good stuff bro
mirin

 

[botchedbytufano]

Mirin effort, expansion + ligating otw

 

[76.1]

most of the other things i could have said are already in BOTB

so it’s pretty much no point to put a lot of things into a thread that have been said 100x over.

but ofc i do get what you mean..

@76.1 asked for a thread on this so i made it abit simple and didn’t go into alot of detail just some of the main things

I don't think I'm the one that asked for orthodontics lol, it was someone else.

I asked for skin lightening and appositional bone growth.

Still miring the guide HARD brah, will read.

 

[botchedbytufano]

Maybe make text smaller tho

 

[Sage]

Maybe make text smaller tho

It's fine..

 

[Lemic]

 

[botchedbytufano]

It's fine..

eh

 

[pslturi]

I don't think I'm the one that asked for orthodontics lol, it was someone else.

I asked for skin lightening and appositional bone growth.

Still miring the guide HARD brah, will read.

oh shit ur right my bad bro

 

[pslturi]

i’m unable to edit it now but it was @dogshitinfras thst asked for the thread not @76.1

 

[dogshitinfras]

Thanks brah

 

[pslturi]

Thanks brah

 

[d99lotus]

i have a crossbite but i have 8-9 teeth smile , do i need mse before i get my braces

 

[pslturi]

i have a crossbite but i have 8-9 teeth smile , do i need mse before i get my braces

not necessarily

having an 8–9 tooth smile is a sign that your smile may already be reasonably broad a crossbite alone does not automatically mean you need an MSE

IF it's caused by a narrow upper jaw
it may be recommended before OR alongside braces

if it's caused by tooth position
braces or clear aligners alone can often correct it without skeletal expansion.

is it just one or two teeth in crossbite?

 

[d99lotus]

not necessarily

having an 8–9 tooth smile is a sign that your smile may already be reasonably broad a crossbite alone does not automatically mean you need an MSE

IF it's caused by a narrow upper jaw
it may be recommended before OR alongside braces

if it's caused by tooth position
braces or clear aligners alone can often correct it without skeletal expansion.

is it just one or two teeth in crossbite?

no practically all my teeth sit on top of eachother like directly on top, theres no slight overjet. Im getting my braces like this week so ill ask my ortho when i get the xrays if i could be a mse candidate so i could prolly get headgear to get some forward growth or if just elastics could do the trick. As for my teeth itself i only have like 2 slightly crooked teeth so ill be able to get in and out of braces relatively quickly. The last ortho i went to started fear mongering my mom saying i need marpe asap by just seeing me and headgear along with it and then she lost me when she said she would probably do some extractions after marpe and headgear n i was like wtf lets get out of here.

 

[pslturi]

no practically all my teeth sit on top of eachother like directly on top, theres no slight overjet. Im getting my braces like this week so ill ask my ortho when i get the xrays if i could be a mse candidate so i could prolly get headgear to get some forward growth or if just elastics could do the trick. As for my teeth itself i only have like 2 slightly crooked teeth so ill be able to get in and out of braces relatively quickly. The last ortho i went to started fear mongering my mom saying i need marpe asap by just seeing me and headgear along with it and then she lost me when she said she would probably do some extractions after marpe and headgear n i was like wtf lets get out of here.

damn i'd definitely ask your ortho whether your crossbite is skeletal or just dental before deciding on anything like MSE If it's dental braces alone might be enough but if your upper jaw is actually narrow.. then expansion could make sense

i'd also ask why they recommend extractions and whether there are non-extraction options first If two orthos give completely different treatment plans getting a second (or even third) opinion isn't that bad of an idea

hope it works out though bro if you've only got a couple slightly crooked teeth then hopefully your treatment won't take too long bhai

 

[d99lotus]

damn i'd definitely ask your ortho whether your crossbite is skeletal or just dental before deciding on anything like MSE If it's dental braces alone might be enough but if your upper jaw is actually narrow.. then expansion could make sense

i'd also ask why they recommend extractions and whether there are non-extraction options first If two orthos give completely different treatment plans getting a second (or even third) opinion isn't that bad of an idea

hope it works out though bro if you've only got a couple slightly crooked teeth then hopefully your treatment won't take too long bhai

i got a second orthos opinion and he said my teeth were fine nothing serious and i could get out of braces pretty quick with no need of extractions, anyways ill def think about mse and stuff when i get proper xrays. Thanks bhai.

 

[Randon]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

@Ur fav sub 5 :Lul:

 

[socio]

Useful thread! Mirin the effort

 

[pslturi]

@Ur fav sub 5 :Lul:

?

Useful thread! Mirin the effort

thanks brocel!

 

[Revan]

helpful thanks

 

[pslturi]

helpful thanks

wait pms rq

 

[Deleted member 414310]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

dnr but glanced over, formatting could use some work

 

[ilikefish]

mirin

 

[Solarluminate]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

thanks man my dentist said i had type 1 malloclusion and "normal, healthy teeth" but my maxilla is slightly recessed would retainers be the way to go about fixing this or marpe?

 

[PG4BINX]

How do I fix slight lower palate crowding and potential crossbite

 

[olofin]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

mirin the dedication

 

[ironfist23]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

would clear aligners be good for me if i have a slight narrow palate, my lower teeth are pretty good and straight but my upper ones are slighty crowded and some on the sides curve inward making less space for my tongue, i have a slight deviated midline but no overbite or nothing GTFIH son

 

[mrunderdog]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

i have a underbite, in need of forward growth as well as expansion for an 8 teeth smile any suggestions on what i should say to my orthodontist

 

[Jaotheltn]

Tbh got an overbite and crossbite it’s over

same brother, got braces and will be getting herbst appliance soon luckily, just go to an orthodontist and get evaluated

 

[uglyduckling.bp]

It helped me a lot, thanks, nigga.

 

[azzymaxin]

Orthodontics is one of the highest looksmaxxes. Straight, aligned teeth + a wider/better-projected maxilla and balanced jaws. transform side profile, midface support and overall harmony.. Crooked teeth, narrow palate, recessed maxilla, or bad bite drag down your rating hard. Fixing them can easily bump you up by a lot.

this guide mixes proven ortho science with SOME looksmax community knowledge (expanders and etc) Always consult a qualified orthodontist DIY has risks, but informed choices help you avoid bad extractions or recession. (this thread won't have any DIY in it tho. if you do want that lmk and i'll try and look into it)

lets get into it.​

1. Self-Assessment/Where Are You Starting?​

Smile aesthetics: Teeth crowding.. spacing, rotations, color/yellowing.. gum show, incisal edge display?
Jaw & profile: Recessed maxilla/chin? Overbite/underbite? Narrow smile (dark buccal corridors)?
Palate: tongue rest fully flat on the roof of your mouth? Narrow = high vault, crowded teeth and worse airway.
​

Class I (Ideal)​

Upper teeth sit slightly ahead of lower teeth.
Balanced facial proportions.
Usually only cosmetic alignment is needed.
​

Class II (Overbite / Recessed Mandible)​

Lower jaw sits too far back.Often creates:
Weak jawline
Poor chin projection
More convex side profile
​

Class III (Underbite)​

Lower jaw too far forward or upper jaw too far back.
Creates a concave profile.
Mild cases can be camouflaged.
Severe skeletal cases usually require surgery.

View attachment 5316010

Treatment:

Elastics
Functional appliances (growing patients)
Braces/aligners
Jaw surgery in severe cases
​

Crossbite​

Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Often linked with narrow maxilla.
Usually benefits from expansion.

View attachment 5316020​

Open Bite​

Front teeth don't touch.

Common causes:

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Can seriously affect facial aesthetics.



Age matters: Teens/kids get easier forward growth guidance. Adults rely more on expansion and camouflage or surgery.

some water for you.
Oral hygiene + whitening: Straight teeth are a big BUMP. Floss, brush, consider professional whitening.
Lip & posture training: Mouth breathing fucks you up as we all know. tape at night if needed
And ofc mewing.
​

2. Professional Orthodontics: The Real Ascent​

Core goals:

Straight teeth + wide arch (aesthetic smile).
Forward maxillary projection/support for lips/cheeks.
Balanced jaws (Class I bite ideal).
Minimal dark corridors, good incisor show.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign/SmileDirect alternatives): Discreet, great for mild-moderate crowding. Can include attachments for bite correction. Good for adults wanting low visibility. Improves profile subtly via tooth movement

Palatal Expansion (MSE, Hyrax, etc.): May widen narrow maxilla.. broader smile, better cheekbones, improved airway, more forward growth potential. MSE is popular in circles for adults (skeletal expansion). Results: wider face, reduced dark corridors

Functional Appliances: Herbst, Bionator, etc. for Class II (recessed lower jaw). Guide growth in adolescents.

Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery - Lefort I, BSSO, Genio): For severe skeletal issues. Dramatic changes to projection, jawline, harmony. Often preceded/followed by braces. High reward but major commitment (recovery, cost, risks)

Extractions?: Premolar extractions can retract front teeth (recessionmaxx risk for some) Avoid if possible unless necessary for severe crowding. discuss expansion-first with forward-growth focused ortho.

​

4. Airway & Mouth Breathing​

Looks and function go together.


Chronic mouth breathing can contribute to:

Long face development
Narrow palate
Poor tongue posture
Crowding
Dark circles
Dry mouth
Worse sleep

If you constantly:

wake up tired
snore
sleep with your mouth open
can't comfortably breathe through your nose

get evaluated by an ENT before assuming orthodontics is the only answer.

Common issues include:

Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Allergies
Enlarged turbinates

Fixing your airway often makes it easier to maintain proper tongue posture.
​

5. Expansion​

Expansion is one of the most talked about topics in the looksmax community
The goal is to increase arch width.. and not just simply make the teeth look straighte


Potential benefits:

Wider smile
Reduced buccal corridors
More tongue space
Better nasal airflow (in some patients)

Common expanders:
​

Hyrax​

Traditional tooth-borne expander.
Works extremely well in growing patients.
​

MARPE / MSE​

Mini-screw assisted expanders.
Designed to achieve more skeletal expansion in older teens and adults.
Results vary depending on age and suture maturity.
​

SARPE​

Surgically assisted expansion.
Usually reserved for adults who cannot achieve enough expansion non-surgically.
​

6. Orthognathic Surgery​

If your bones not just your teeth are the problem, braces alone won't fix everything.
Common surgeries:
​

LeFort I​

Moves the upper jaw.
Can improve:

Midface support
Smile
Incisor show
Bite​

BSSO​

Moves the lower jaw.
Improves:

Jawline
Chin position
Bite​

Genioplasty​

Moves only the chin.
Often combined with jaw surgery but can also be done alone.
Many severe Class II or Class III patients experience some of the biggest aesthetic improvements from surgery.


To knock off the thread here are some myths

Straight teeth = perfect face
No. Jaw position and facial bones matter just as much

NOT Everyone needs jaw surgery

Most people don't.
Many can achieve excellent results with orthodontics alone

Adults can't expand
Adults can sometimes achieve skeletal expansion with MARPE/MSE or surgery, but success becomes less predictable with age

Mewing replaces orthodontics
No

Proper tongue posture may help maintain healthy oral posture, but it won't reliably straighten crowded teeth or correct significant skeletal discrepancies.

INB4 "DNR"
INB4 "DNR MIRIN EFFORT THO"

Spoiler: TAGS

TAGS: @Revan @callard @Jenson @Nothing @Mr. Squarepants

Person who wanted/asked for this thread: @76.1

am poor with severe crowding, deviated septum, and if you thought this was bad even worse i have a tounge tie can't even fuckinggg mew its so over am considering ropemaxxing thats the only option all of these cost so much to fix.