itsneverover:)
Iron
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2026
- Posts
- 89
- Reputation
- 29
Why Forward Growth Matters for Looks and Profile?
Forward maxillary position is one of the biggest predictors of an attractive male face. It gives better jawline support better cheekbones a straighter profile and more hunter eye appearance. Even 3 to 5 mm of advancement changes how the whole face reads. Retruded maxilla makes the midface look flat and the chin look weak even if the mandible is decent.
Key Studies on Adult Maxillary Changes
Handelman 2000 treated 47 adults with nonsurgical rapid maxillary expansion using a Haas expander. They got 4.6 mm average molar expansion the same as kids and the results stayed stable for almost 6 years after retainers came off. The adults tolerated it well with almost no complications when the expander was turned slowly. Full study here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10833001/
Kim 2021 did nonsurgical miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion on a 60 year old man with crowding crossbites and recession. The maxilla expanded successfully and the case is the oldest reported in the literature. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8133902/
Jackson 2014 treated an adult with skeletal Class III and maxillary retrusion using slow expansion plus protraction facemask. The patient got clear forward maxillary movement improved cheekbones and fuller upper lip without surgery. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3970075/
Cuccia 2009 showed new bone growth in the condyle of an adult male after mandibular advancement with a splint. The left condyle remodeled and grew forward after 18 months of treatment. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2724385/
How It Works in Adults?
The mid palatal suture and other craniofacial sutures stay responsive longer than most people think. Microimplants give direct skeletal anchorage so the force goes to bone instead of teeth. Tongue posture and consistent forward pull from functional forces can stimulate remodeling. Condylar cartilage can still add bone when the mandible is repositioned forward. It is slower than in teenagers but it happens.
Real Case Examples From the Literature
The 60 year old in the Kim study got measurable expansion and better arch form with no surgery. The Jackson adult Class III case showed visible midface advancement and softer profile just from expansion plus facemask. Multiple MARPE studies in adults 18 to 35 report 4 to 6 mm of skeletal widening plus some forward component when combined with proper mechanics. These are not cherry picked forum photos they are published with before and after cephs and CBCT.
Practical Methods That Actually Produce Forward Growth
MARPE or MSE with microimplants for skeletal expansion
Slow expansion with bonded expander plus facemask or Class III elastics for forward pull
Consistent proper tongue posture plus nose breathing to maintain the gains
Occlusal splint or functional appliance to reposition the mandible and allow condylar remodeling
What Results You Can Expect??!!
In mild to moderate cases adults get 3 to 6 mm of maxillary widening plus 2 to 4 mm forward component over 12 to 24 months. Profile improves noticeably. Cheekbones project more the under eye area fills out and the jawline looks sharper because the maxilla supports it better. Even small changes make the face look more harmonious and masculine. Severe cases may still need surgery but many guys in their 20s and 30s get enough improvement to skip it.
Forward maxillary position is one of the biggest predictors of an attractive male face. It gives better jawline support better cheekbones a straighter profile and more hunter eye appearance. Even 3 to 5 mm of advancement changes how the whole face reads. Retruded maxilla makes the midface look flat and the chin look weak even if the mandible is decent.
Key Studies on Adult Maxillary Changes
Handelman 2000 treated 47 adults with nonsurgical rapid maxillary expansion using a Haas expander. They got 4.6 mm average molar expansion the same as kids and the results stayed stable for almost 6 years after retainers came off. The adults tolerated it well with almost no complications when the expander was turned slowly. Full study here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10833001/
Kim 2021 did nonsurgical miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion on a 60 year old man with crowding crossbites and recession. The maxilla expanded successfully and the case is the oldest reported in the literature. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8133902/
Jackson 2014 treated an adult with skeletal Class III and maxillary retrusion using slow expansion plus protraction facemask. The patient got clear forward maxillary movement improved cheekbones and fuller upper lip without surgery. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3970075/
Cuccia 2009 showed new bone growth in the condyle of an adult male after mandibular advancement with a splint. The left condyle remodeled and grew forward after 18 months of treatment. Full case here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2724385/
How It Works in Adults?
The mid palatal suture and other craniofacial sutures stay responsive longer than most people think. Microimplants give direct skeletal anchorage so the force goes to bone instead of teeth. Tongue posture and consistent forward pull from functional forces can stimulate remodeling. Condylar cartilage can still add bone when the mandible is repositioned forward. It is slower than in teenagers but it happens.
Real Case Examples From the Literature
The 60 year old in the Kim study got measurable expansion and better arch form with no surgery. The Jackson adult Class III case showed visible midface advancement and softer profile just from expansion plus facemask. Multiple MARPE studies in adults 18 to 35 report 4 to 6 mm of skeletal widening plus some forward component when combined with proper mechanics. These are not cherry picked forum photos they are published with before and after cephs and CBCT.
Practical Methods That Actually Produce Forward Growth
MARPE or MSE with microimplants for skeletal expansion
Slow expansion with bonded expander plus facemask or Class III elastics for forward pull
Consistent proper tongue posture plus nose breathing to maintain the gains
Occlusal splint or functional appliance to reposition the mandible and allow condylar remodeling
What Results You Can Expect??!!
In mild to moderate cases adults get 3 to 6 mm of maxillary widening plus 2 to 4 mm forward component over 12 to 24 months. Profile improves noticeably. Cheekbones project more the under eye area fills out and the jawline looks sharper because the maxilla supports it better. Even small changes make the face look more harmonious and masculine. Severe cases may still need surgery but many guys in their 20s and 30s get enough improvement to skip it.
