[Health Column] Invisalign Chin Correction: Can Face Length Be Reduced Without Surgery? A 19-Month Non-Extraction Treatment Case

 

Hello! ✨ I am Cho Byung-joo, a board-certified orthodontist with 16 years of experience and the Representative Director of Nowon Shine Orthodontics Dental Hospital. 😊

 

"When I keep my mouth closed, my jaw tenses up."
I've been told that my face looks long when viewed from the front.

 

Have you found it difficult to close your mouth, or have you been told that your face looks long when viewed from the front? In such cases receding chin (mandibular recession) Ina Long face (Jang-an-mo) This could be the cause. 💭

 

Many people think that this problem is difficult to solve without surgery, but Cases where facial improvement is possible solely through orthodontic treatment using Invisalign There is.

 

Today, focusing on a real-life case where a receding chin and long face were improved through 19 months of non-extraction Invisalign treatment, I will explain step-by-step how these changes work!

 

1️⃣ What were the characteristics of a receding chin and a long face?

🦷 The lips could not be closed, and the lower jaw was retracted, making the lower part of the face look long.

 

The patient who started treatment has difficulty closing their lips naturally Inability to close the lips The condition was such that, when viewed from the front and side, the face was long and the lower jaw was set back, exhibiting a receding chin shape.

 

📌 Appearance before treatment. It is difficult to close the lips, and the mandible is recessed from the side.

 

As a result of the occlusal analysis, the contact surface between the upper and lower teeth is small, and open bite There was also a tendency. In such cases, the lower jaw is rotated clockwise, which makes the lower part of the face appear longer. 👀

 

Therefore, based on non-extraction treatment, the teeth alignment is done with Invisalign intrusion Therefore, we established a treatment plan to rotate the mandible counterclockwise (anterior rotation).

 

🔹 Please remember this.
In cases where a receding chin and a long face are visible together, rather than the size of the jawbone itself Which direction the mandible is rotated This could be the key. Confirming this direction first through occlusal analysis is the starting point of the treatment plan.

 

2️⃣ How can the jaw protrude forward without surgery?

🦷 Pressing up the molars rotates the lower jaw forward, improving both the receding chin and the long face.

 

The core principle of this treatment is Counterclockwise rotation of the mandible By pressing down on the upper and lower molars, the lower jaw rotates forward, naturally improving the receding chin and long face.

 

📌 Inability to close the lip (left) → Intrusion of the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth (center) → Process of the lip closing due to mandibular anterior rotation (right)

 

In this process, together with the Invisalign attachment Miniscrew (skeletal anchorage) We applied posterior tooth compressive force more efficiently by utilizing [this].

 

Miniscrews are small screws implanted into the gum bone that help move teeth precisely in the desired direction. This method Results close to skeletal changes without surgery There is an advantage in being able to obtain . 💡

 

⚠️ A quick tip!
The force required to 'pull up' the molars may be difficult to sufficiently transmit with clear aligners alone. The reason attachments and mini-screws are used together is to stably maintain this downward force.

 

3️⃣ How has the face changed after 19 months?

🦷 The lips closed, the lower jaw moved forward, and the length of the lower face decreased.

 

19 months after starting non-extraction Invisalign treatment, significant improvement was confirmed in both the patient's profile and frontal view. ✨

 

📌 Changes in the front (top) and side (bottom) views according to the progress of treatment. You can see that the length of the lower face, indicated by the arrow, has decreased.

 

• As the lips naturally close Relief of inability to close the lips It has been done.
• As the mandible moves forward (anterior rotation) Recessed chin improved It has been done.
• The length of the lower face decreases Overall facial proportions improved It has been done.
• The occlusion (teeth bite) has been stably improved.

 

Of course, this is not applicable to all cases of receding chin or long face, and surgical correction may be necessary in cases of severe skeletal issues. ⚠️

 

so Selecting the right treatment method for you through an accurate diagnosis This is of the utmost importance. It can only be determined through occlusal analysis and facial evaluation whether the issue can be resolved with tooth movement alone or if surgery is required.

 

✅ Checkpoints Before Consultation
• Check if you feel tension in the tip of your chin when you keep your mouth comfortably closed.
• Check if the lower part of the face looks unusually long from the front, or if the jaw is set back from the side.
• Please also mention if the front teeth do not touch when the molars are in contact (open bite).
• Before deciding on surgery, I recommend checking first whether correction alone is sufficient.

 

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q1. Can a receding chin really be improved with Invisalign?

A1. If skeletal issues are mild or mandibular rotation is possible through tooth intrusion, it is possible to improve a receding chin and a long face with Invisalign alone. However, since severe skeletal malocclusion may require surgical correction, a precise diagnosis is important.

 

Q2. Why are miniscrews used?

A2. Miniscrews are skeletal anchorages designed to stably apply compressive force to the posterior teeth. By implanting small screws into the alveolar bone, teeth are moved more precisely and efficiently. The procedure is simple, and removal after treatment is easy.

 

Q3. How long does the treatment take?

A3. This case took 19 months under non-extraction conditions. The duration may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the individual's tooth movement speed, so we recommend confirming the estimated timeframe through a thorough consultation with the attending dentist.

 

🏁 Conclusion & Summary

 

Invisalign treatment goes beyond simply straightening teeth, Treatment capable of improving mandibular position and facial shape no see.

 

If you are concerned about a receding chin or a long face, please check your eligibility for Invisalign correction along with a precise bite analysis before deciding on surgery. ✨

 

However, since treatment results may vary depending on an individual's skeletal and dental condition, we recommend that you consult thoroughly with an orthodontist to find the right path for you. 😊

 

Shine Orthodontics

Director Cho Byeong-ju

Graduated from Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry / Doctor of Dental Surgery

Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Department of Orthodontics Intern / Resident

Graduated from Catholic University of Korea Graduate School of Medicine with a minor in Plastic Surgery / Master of Medicine

Visiting Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

Visiting Professor at CHA University Gangnam Hospital

Invisalign Official Faculty

Regular member of the Korean Association of Orthodontists (KAO)

Member of the Korean Society of Clinical Orthodontists (KSO)

2019/2020/2021/2022 Awarded the Excellent Case Presentation by the Korean Association of Orthodontists