ASYMMETRY

Facial Asymmetry: Can Braces Change It?

Name: My face is asymmetrical. Can braces change that?
Creator: Sunmin Kim

Treatment: Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist) · Reviewed by: Dr. Sunmin KimAbout the doctor →

Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026 · Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist, certified by the Korean Association of Orthodontists)

At a glance

Who it suits: The midlines of the upper and lower front teeth are off, or the jaw looks shifted to one side
Treatment flow: Sort the cause into four types (frontal X-ray, CT, jaw joint) → separate what braces can correct from what needs a surgical review
Duration and limits: Comprehensive orthodontic treatment usually takes 1.5–2.5 years. If the cause is a difference in jawbone length, braces alone barely change the facial outline

Details

When facial asymmetry comes from the teeth, orthodontic treatment can make a large difference. When it comes from a left-right length difference in the jawbone itself, braces alone barely change the outline of the face. If only the midlines of the upper and lower front teeth are off, or if one tooth touches first when you close and pushes the jaw to one side, orthodontic treatment can bring the midline and jaw position back. At Ceramic Dental Clinic, we sort the cause into one of four types using a frontal X-ray (PA cephalogram), a 3D CT scan when needed, and a jaw joint (TMJ) exam. Then we explain which part braces can correct and which part needs surgery to be considered as well. Treatment time for facial asymmetry depends on the cause, but comprehensive orthodontic treatment usually takes about 1.5 to 2.5 years.

01^°

The asymmetry in the mirror looked similar, but what we could do depended on the cause

These real cases show asymmetry from the teeth only, from the jaw being pushed when biting, and from a difference in the jawbone itself. For the last case, we also list what braces did not change.

CASE01

Asymmetry where only the upper and lower front-teeth midlines were off

Orthodontics · aligned the teeth on one side to bring the upper and lower front-teeth midlines to the center of the face

Inside the mouth before treatment, front view, with the upper and lower front-teeth midlines off — Inside the mouth before treatment, front view. The lower front-teeth midline is shifted to one side of the upper midline, and the teeth around one canine overlap.

Inside the mouth after treatment, front view, with the upper and lower front-teeth midlines aligned — Inside the mouth after treatment, front view. While aligning the overlapping teeth, we moved the lower front-teeth midline, and the upper and lower midlines now match.

Condition: Upper and lower front-teeth midlines off by 4 mm; small left-right jawbone difference (dental)
Choice: Orthodontic treatment without extractions: we organized the space on one side and moved the midline
What we did not do: Surgical orthodontics (the left-right jawbone difference was small)
Duration: About 2 years and 2 months
Note: The small left-right differences everyone's face has remain. We aimed to match the upper midline to the center of the face, because that is what makes a smile look balanced.

CASE02

Asymmetry where the jaw is pushed to one side when closing

Orthodontics · we found the tooth that touched first and corrected the bite, and the jaw returned to its normal position

Front view of the face before treatment, with the chin shifted to one side (below the nose only) — Front view of the face before treatment. When the mouth is closed, the chin looks shifted to one side. A key sign was that the chin moved back near the center when the mouth was opened slightly.

Front view of the face after treatment, with the chin moved back toward the center (below the nose only) — Front view of the face after treatment. Once we corrected the position of the tooth that touched first, the jaw no longer slid sideways on closing, and the chin moved back toward the center.

Condition: Functional asymmetry: one canine touched first and pushed the lower jaw sideways when biting
Choice: After a jaw joint exam confirmed no problems, we adjusted the position of the tooth that touched first with braces
What we did not do: Surgical orthodontics (the cause was not a difference in jawbone length)
Duration: About 27 months
Note: The small left-right difference in the jawbone itself remains.

CASE03

A left-right difference in jawbone length, but the patient chose braces instead of surgery

Compromise treatment · matched the bite and front-teeth midline by tilting the teeth, without changing the facial outline

Frontal X-ray before treatment, marking the height difference between the left and right lower jaw — Frontal X-ray before treatment. One side of the lower jaw is longer than the other, so the chin is off the center of the face.

Inside the mouth after treatment, front view, with the midline and molar bite aligned — Inside the mouth after treatment, front view. We adjusted the tilt of the teeth to match the upper and lower front-teeth midlines and the left and right molar bite. The difference in jawbone length remains.

Condition: Skeletal asymmetry with a left-right difference in lower jaw length; chin shifted 9 mm to one side
Choice: The patient did not want surgery, so we corrected the bite and midline with braces alone
What we did not do: Jaw surgery (the patient wanted a better bite rather than a change in facial outline)
Duration: About 21 months
Note: The chin position and facial outline did not change. The teeth were aligned in a slightly tilted position.

* Photos were taken under the same conditions and published with the patients' consent. Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person.

02^°

We sort the causes of facial asymmetry into four types

Most people have two or more mixed together. What braces can change depends on which one plays the bigger role.

01Dental asymmetry

The jawbone is nearly symmetrical, but the upper and lower front-teeth midlines are off or only the teeth on one side are tilted. Braces can make the biggest difference here.

02Functional asymmetry

When you close your mouth, one tooth touches first and pushes the lower jaw to one side. Correcting that tooth often lets the jaw return to its position.

03Skeletal asymmetry

The left and right sides of the lower jaw differ in length or height. Braces can only compensate for the bite with the teeth. To change the facial outline, we consider surgical orthodontics.

04Jaw joint changes

The head of one jaw joint changes shape or wears away (resorbs), and the jaw tilts. If we do not first confirm that the joint is stable, the bite can change again after braces.

Illustration of functional asymmetry comparing the lower jaw position when opening, at first contact, and when biting firmly — Functional asymmetry. If you compare where the teeth first touch with the firmly closed position, the lower jaw slides sideways on firm closing and the midline moves.

Frontal X-ray of skeletal asymmetry, marking the height of the lower border of the left and right jaw and the chin position — Frontal X-ray of skeletal asymmetry. The height of the lower border of the jaw (Ag) differs between the left and right sides, and the chin (Me) is off the facial midline. Moving teeth does not change this kind of difference.

Even if the asymmetry looks the same in the mirror, the cause can be different. If the cause is different, what braces can do is also different.

03^°

How orthodontic treatment for facial asymmetry works

There are six steps, from the exam that sorts the cause to the retainers. For each step, we explain what we look at and why, with real clinical photos.

Analysis screen of a frontal face photo marking the facial midline, the upper and lower front-teeth centers and the chin (below the nose only) — Midline analysis of a frontal photo. We compare where the facial midline, the upper front-teeth midline, the lower front-teeth midline and the chin are.

STEP 01

We compare four midlines of the face and front teeth

On a frontal photo, we draw the facial midline from between the eyebrows to the tip of the nose. Then we see how far the upper front-teeth midline, the lower front-teeth midline and the chin are from that line. We also record the height of the corners of the mouth when smiling and whether the edge line of the upper front teeth is tilted.

Why we do thisWhich line is off is the first clue to the cause. If only the front-teeth midline is off and the chin is centered, it is likely a dental problem. If the chin is also shifted, we need to look more closely at the jaw position or the jawbone.

Illustration showing a blue mark on only one lower premolar after biting on articulating paper, meaning that tooth touches first — Articulating paper test. When you close your mouth slowly, color marks the tooth that touches first. If only one tooth touches first, the jaw can shift sideways to avoid it.

STEP 02

We have you close slowly to check whether the jaw is pushed when biting

We ask you to relax and close your mouth slowly to find where the teeth first touch, then compare that with the firmly closed position. If the chin or the lower front-teeth midline moves sideways between the two positions, we suspect functional asymmetry.

Why we do thisWith functional asymmetry, correcting only the tooth that touches first can let the jaw return to its position. If we skip this step, we may judge the jawbone difference to be larger than it is and end up considering surgery that is not needed.

Frontal X-ray measurement screen — Frontal X-ray and 3D CT. We measure the length and height of the left and right lower jaw and how far the chin is from the facial center, in millimeters.

Front view of the facial bones on a 3D CT scan — Frontal X-ray and 3D CT. We measure the length and height of the left and right lower jaw and how far the chin is from the facial center, in millimeters.

STEP 03

We look at the jawbone difference in numbers with a frontal X-ray and 3D CT

With a frontal X-ray (PA cephalogram), we measure the length and height of the left and right jawbone and whether the upper jaw is tilted. If the difference is large or the cause is unclear, we check the shape of the lower jaw and jaw joints in 3D with a CT scan.

We usually consider asymmetry noticeable when the chin is 4 mm or more off the facial midline. This distance, and how much of it comes from the jawbone, are the criteria for deciding whether to use braces alone or to consider surgery as well.

Why we do thisPhotos show the bone together with the soft tissue and muscles on top of it, so only an X-ray gives numbers for the left-right difference in the bone. Knowing the bone difference lets us tell you accurately in advance how much braces can change.

3D CT cross-section of the jaw joint. We check whether the head of the joint has become smaller or changed shape.

STEP 04

We check that the jaw joint is stable before braces

We check for jaw joint pain, sounds when you open and close your mouth, and how wide your mouth opens. If the asymmetry has worsened in the last few years, we always check the shape of the joint head on CT. If you have pain, we treat the jaw joint first and then reassess.

Why we do thisIf we correct the bite while one joint is still changing, the jaw can keep tilting after braces are finished and the bite can shift again. We do not tell you that braces treat the jaw joint. We start once the joint is stable.

Inside the mouth during treatment, front view, with a mini-screw placed on one side of the lower jaw and a coil spring attached only on that side — Inside the mouth during treatment, front view, with a mini-screw placed on only one side of the lower jaw and a coil spring attached only on that side. We move the midline by applying forces of different directions and sizes to the teeth on each side.

STEP 05

We move the teeth with different forces on the left and right, matched to the cause

For dental asymmetry, we move the midline while organizing the space on one side. For functional asymmetry, we first correct the position of the tooth that touches first and then reassess the jaw position. When we compensate for skeletal asymmetry with braces alone, we adjust the tilt of the teeth to match the bite. If only the molars on one side need to move, we use mini-screws as anchors.

Why we do thisIf the same force is applied to both sides, the teeth only line up while the shift stays as it was. One side has to move while the other side is held in place, so we plan the direction and size of the forces separately. My own research, in which I measured the forces and rotational forces acting on teeth, also dealt with this kind of force balance.

Inside the mouth during treatment with brackets attached, front view — Inside the mouth mid-treatment and at the finish, front view. We check how far the midline has moved partway through, and after treatment we keep the result with retainers.

Inside the mouth after the braces were removed, front view, with the upper and lower front-teeth midlines aligned — Inside the mouth mid-treatment and at the finish, front view. We check how far the midline has moved partway through, and after treatment we keep the result with retainers.

STEP 06

We recheck the midline and jaw position partway through and finish with retainers

Partway through treatment, we recheck the frontal photo and the closing position. For patients with functional asymmetry, the bite changes as the jaw returns to its position, so we adjust the plan. After the braces come off, we use a fixed retainer and a clear retainer together. Check-ups and adjustments for 2 years after treatment are included in the orthodontic fee.

Why we do thisWhen the jaw position changes, the bite we first planned changes too. We do not push the original plan through to the end. We finish according to the jaw position as it has actually changed.

* Clinical photos are published with the patients' consent. Side effects such as temporary pain or discomfort may occur, depending on the person.

We take a CT scan only when it is needed to identify the cause. During treatment, you usually visit once a month.

04^°

How do we decide between braces alone and braces with surgery?

We decide by looking at the five points below together. We compare what each approach changes and what it leaves, using your exam images.

Size of the left-right jawbone difference · The larger the share of bone in how far the chin is off center, the harder it is to compensate with braces alone.
The change you want · The approach differs depending on whether your goal is the bite and front-teeth midline, or also the outline of your face.
Room for the teeth to tilt · Compensating with braces alone means tilting the teeth into place, and if the gum bone is thin there is less room for this.
Whether the jaw joint is stable · If the joint is changing, we first confirm it is stable, whatever the approach.
Growth stage · In teens who are still growing, asymmetry can become larger or smaller, so we decide the timing separately.

If you do not want surgery, we explain how to match the bite with braces alone and the limits of that approach. Either way, you can decide after you have heard the full explanation.

05^°

Comparison of treatment options

	Braces only	Braces + mini-screws	Surgical orthodontics (braces + jaw surgery)
Suitable causes	Dental asymmetry, functional asymmetry	When the height or position of the molars on one side must be moved separately; skeletal asymmetry with a small difference	When the left-right jawbone difference is large and you want to change your facial outline
What changes	Front-teeth midline, jaw position when closing	Midline, height of the molars on one side, tilt of the upper front-teeth edge line	Jawbone position and facial outline
What does not change	Left-right difference in jawbone length	Left-right difference in jawbone length	Some left-right difference in soft tissue and muscles may remain
Limits	If the skeletal difference is large, the teeth are aligned in a tilted position	A mini-screw may loosen and need to be placed again	Surgery requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay
Duration	Usually 1.5–2.5 years	Usually 1.5–2.5 years	Usually 2–2.5 years, including orthodontic treatment before and after surgery
Cost	See fee schedule →	See fee schedule →	Surgery is done by an oral and maxillofacial surgery department (we can refer you to a partner hospital, but you do not have to go there)

06^°

For some people, another treatment comes first, or no treatment is needed

This suits you if you have

Dental asymmetry with the upper and lower front-teeth midlines off
Functional asymmetry with the jaw pushed to one side when closing
A small skeletal difference that the teeth can compensate for

Another treatment comes first

Jaw joint pain or limited mouth opening: jaw joint treatment first
Asymmetry that has worsened quickly recently: check for jaw joint changes first
A large jawbone difference and a wish to change your facial outline: consultation on surgical orthodontics

No treatment needed for now

Small left-right differences that everyone has, with no problem in the bite: we will tell you honestly that braces would make little visible change.

07^°

Self-check

In photos, my chin is shifted to one sideThe centers of my upper and lower front teeth do not line upI chew on only one sideMy jaw swings to one side when I open my mouthMy jaw clicks or hurtsThe corners of my mouth are at different heights when I smileMy asymmetry is worse than a few years ago

If the last two apply to you, have your jaw joint checked first. You are welcome to send us a frontal photo first.

08^°

Side effects and limits

Please read

· With skeletal asymmetry, braces do not change the facial outline. Braces can only match the bite and front-teeth midline.

· When we compensate with the teeth, the teeth may end up aligned in a slightly tilted position.

· If jaw joint changes are ongoing, the bite may change again after braces.

· The tooth roots may become shorter (root resorption) or the gums may recede.

· If a mini-screw loosens and comes out, we place it again in a different spot.

· If you do not wear your retainers, the midline may shift again.

FAQ

Can braces alone improve facial asymmetry?

Dental asymmetry, where the front-teeth midline is off, and functional asymmetry, where the jaw is pushed to one side when you bite, can change with orthodontic treatment. Skeletal asymmetry, where the left and right sides of the lower jaw differ in length, barely changes the facial outline with braces alone. So we explain both how far we can correct the bite and what surgical orthodontics can do.

Visiting from abroad

Questions from patients who travel to Seoul for treatment.

How much does orthodontic treatment cost?

The fee depends on the appliance. For example, metal braces are KRW 4,800,000, ceramic braces KRW 6,000,000, Invisalign KRW 8,500,000 and lingual braces KRW 8,600,000. The orthodontic fee includes the orthodontic diagnosis, extraction (except wisdom teeth), mini-screws, basic retainers and retention care for 2 years. If you have only the diagnosis and do not start treatment, it is KRW 50,000 (KRW 100,000 if a CT scan is needed). If a retainer breaks or is lost later, remaking it costs extra. International and Korean patients pay the same fees. We explain the total before treatment starts. See our fee schedule.

Can I continue treatment after I go home?

Yes, but it needs a plan. Fixed braces need regular adjustment visits: the first two visits are 2 weeks apart, then usually once a month. Clear aligners are easier from abroad: after you receive your aligners, you visit once every 2–3 months, and between visits we check by photo only if something comes up. Your doctor tells you at diagnosis which method fits your case.

Can I have my consultation in English?

Yes. The doctor in charge of each field consults with you directly in English. For orthodontics, this is Dr. Sunmin Kim, a board-certified orthodontist. Before you travel, you can send photos of your teeth on WhatsApp or by email. An accurate diagnosis is made after we examine you in person.

What happens after treatment, and what if something comes off?

You need retainers after treatment, because teeth tend to move back. Retention care for 2 years is included in the orthodontic fee. If a bracket comes off or a wire hurts after you go home, send us a photo on WhatsApp. We check it and tell you what to do. Some repairs need a visit.

Results, the number of visits and schedules vary from person to person. More questions: Visiting from abroad.

Jaw joint (TMJ) and teeth grindingMy jaw hurts and clicks. How is it treated?→OrthodonticsMy lower jaw sticks out→OrthodonticsMy front teeth do not touch→OrthodonticsWhen should my child start orthodontic treatment?→OrthodonticsMy braces are finished, but I worry my teeth will shift again→OrthodonticsWhere and how should I get orthodontic treatment?→

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person.

You can ask us first with a front-view photo

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