What is facial orthodontics? A plain-English guide

The short answer: facial orthodontics is orthodontic treatment that is planned around your face, not only your teeth. Before choosing braces, aligners or a growth appliance, the orthodontist looks at how your jaws sit, how your lips are supported, your profile from the side, and how your bite works when you chew.

How it differs from simply straightening teeth

Straight teeth can still sit in a jaw that is too far back, a bite that does not meet evenly, or an arch that is too narrow for the face. Facial orthodontic planning asks a few extra questions before anything is fitted:

• Do the upper and lower jaws meet in a balanced position?
• Do the lips close comfortably over the teeth?
• Does the centre of the smile line up with the centre of the face?
• Is there enough room in the arch, or will teeth need to be made room for?

The answers decide which treatment suits you, and sometimes they show that a simpler treatment is enough.

What it treats

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Overbite (upper teeth far ahead of the lower teeth)
• Underbite (lower teeth ahead of the upper teeth)
• Crossbite (some upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth)
• Open bite (front teeth that do not meet)
• A lower jaw that sits noticeably back in a growing child

How treatment is planned

Planning starts with an examination, an iTero 3D scan of your teeth (no radiation and no impression trays), photographs, and X-rays where needed. A side-view X-ray of the skull shows how the jaws relate to each other. You then get a written plan that lists the options, how long each takes, and the price.

The options

For growing children

While the jaws are still growing, appliances can guide how they grow. This is called dentofacial orthopedics, and it costs ₹60,000 to ₹1,50,000 depending on the appliance and how long it is needed. A first orthodontic check at around age seven shows whether it would help.

For teenagers and adults

Metal braces start at ₹50,000 and are the most economical choice that works for almost every case. Self-ligating braces cost ₹75,000 to ₹1,25,000 and need fewer tightening visits. Ceramic braces are ₹1,50,000. Invisalign clear aligners start at ₹1,20,000 and suit people who want removable, nearly invisible treatment. Our braces cost guide has the full list.

After treatment, a retainer keeps the teeth in place: ₹10,000 for a removable one, ₹20,000 for a fixed one bonded behind the teeth.

Who leads treatment

Facial orthodontic cases at Smile Dental are planned by Dr. Y. Rajesh Kumar, an orthodontist (MDS) and facial orthopedist who founded the clinic in Visakhapatnam in 1997. He sees patients at both Kondapur and Vizag.

Booking a visit

The first visit is a ₹500 consultation. It includes an iTero 3D scan, so you see your own teeth on screen, an explanation of what we find, and a written plan with the exact price. Call Kondapur on +91 7416 644 400 or Vizag on +91 9849 132 388, or book through the Kondapur or Vizag page.

Is facial orthodontics the same as jaw surgery?

No. Most cases are treated with braces, aligners or, in children, growth appliances. A small number of adults with large jaw differences need surgery combined with braces, and we tell you plainly if that applies to you.

Can adults have facial orthodontic treatment?

Yes. Teeth move at any age if the gums and bone are healthy. Adults cannot change jaw growth, but most bite and alignment problems can still be corrected with braces or aligners.

Will orthodontic treatment change the shape of my face?

It can change lip support and the look of your profile a little, especially when front teeth are moved. In growing children, guiding jaw growth can make a larger difference.

What is the best age for a child's first orthodontic check?

Around age seven. Most children do not need treatment then, but the check shows whether jaw growth is on track and the right time to start if it is not.

How long does treatment take?

Most braces and aligner cases take 12 to 24 months. Growth appliances in children are often worn for 6 to 18 months. Your written plan gives the expected time for your case.