Can You Get Jawline Contouring While Wearing Braces? A Doctor Explains

Regarding the question of whether jawline contouring can be performed while wearing braces, the answer is: it may be possible in certain cases, but not everyone who is wearing braces can undergo jawline contouring immediately. The timing of surgery must be determined based on the condition of the jawbone, occlusion, orthodontic treatment progress, and each individual’s treatment goals.

Can You Get Jawline Contouring While Wearing Braces?

First, I would like to clarify one issue: aesthetic jawline contouring and orthognathic surgery for an overbite/underbite are two different types of intervention.

Jawline contouring generally aims to reshape the lower jawbone, particularly areas where the jaw angle is excessively wide or prominent, in order to create a softer and more balanced jawline. Professional literature also notes that aesthetic mandibular contouring surgery can be performed without necessarily undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Meanwhile, orthognathic surgery is intended to correct abnormalities in the relationship between the jawbones that affect occlusion, chewing, or function. For this group of procedures, orthodontic treatment is often an important part of the treatment plan before and after surgery.

Therefore, if you are wearing braces but only want to have the jaw angle contoured to make your face less square, wearing braces is not necessarily an absolute contraindication.

However, you should not decide to undergo surgery on your own simply because you are currently wearing braces.

Why Is Careful Evaluation Necessary Before Jawline Contouring While Wearing Braces?

Orthodontic treatment changes the position of the teeth and occlusion at different stages. During this process, the orthodontist is establishing a dental relationship that is appropriate for the jawbone structure and the treatment objectives.

If a patient also wishes to undergo jawbone intervention, the surgeon needs to know precisely what the current orthodontic treatment plan is intended to achieve.

In particular, if the square appearance of the face is not caused solely by the jaw angle but is also related to the length of the jawbone, chin position, relationship between the upper and lower jaws, or occlusal abnormalities, the treatment plan will be more complex.

This is also why, in cases requiring jaw surgery to correct the relationship between the jawbones and occlusion, the maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist generally need to coordinate with each other to establish a treatment plan.

When Can You Get Jawline Contouring While Wearing Braces?

1. Case 1: Wearing Braces but Having Relatively Stable Occlusion

If you are wearing braces to align your teeth and the main issue you want to improve is a square jaw angle and a broad lower jawbone, your doctor may consider jawline contouring without necessarily waiting until the braces are removed.

However, the final decision must still be based on an in-person examination and diagnostic imaging.

2. Case 2: You Are Wearing Braces to Treat an Overbite, Underbite, or Malocclusion

This case requires greater caution.

If you are wearing braces because of an abnormal relationship between the upper and lower jaws, I do not recommend that you independently undergo jawline contouring at another facility without discussing it with your orthodontist.

This is because the goal at this point is not simply to make the face slimmer but also to ensure that occlusion and chewing function are properly controlled.

If the problem lies in the structure of the jawbone, the doctor may need to consider orthognathic surgery rather than simply contouring the jaw angle. Orthognathic surgery is generally planned in combination with orthodontic treatment before and after surgery to achieve an appropriate tooth–jawbone relationship.

3. Case 3: You Are Wearing Braces but the Cause of the Square Face Is Unclear

This is a situation I encounter quite often.

A face that appears square is not always caused solely by the jaw angle. The shape of the lower jaw area may be influenced by bone structure, the masseter muscle, soft tissue, and overall facial development.

Therefore, simply looking at the face with the naked eye and deciding to undergo “jawline contouring” is not sufficient.

The doctor needs to evaluate the facial and jawbone structures before determining the cause and the appropriate extent of intervention. Studies on mandibular contouring also emphasize evaluating the bone structure before surgery in order to accurately plan the bone cuts.

Do You Need to Have Your Braces Removed Before Jawline Contouring?

Not every case requires the braces to be removed.

Whether the braces need to be removed depends on the orthodontic treatment plan and the type of surgery indicated.

If only aesthetic jaw angle contouring is performed and the orthodontic treatment plan will not be affected, the doctor may consider maintaining the ongoing orthodontic treatment.

Conversely, if you belong to the group requiring orthognathic surgery, the orthodontic treatment plan may need to be coordinated according to the surgical sequence. For jaw corrective surgery, orthodontic treatment is generally performed before surgery and continued after surgery to move the teeth into positions that are appropriate for the new jawbone relationship.

Therefore, the accurate answer is not simply “you must remove your braces” or “you do not need to remove your braces,” but rather the doctor must review how your orthodontic treatment plan is currently being carried out.

Will Jawline Contouring While Wearing Braces Affect the Orthodontic Treatment Process?

This depends on the surgical technique and each individual’s specific condition.

If the surgery focuses only on the jaw angle to create a more defined facial contour without significantly changing the relationship between the two jaws, the doctor may develop a plan to minimize its impact on the orthodontic treatment process.

However, if the intervention involves the position or relationship of the jawbones, the issue of occlusion must be carefully evaluated. Changes to the jawbone may be related to the orthodontic treatment plan and occlusal function, so coordinated treatment between the surgeon and orthodontist is very important.

At Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital, What Will the Doctor Check Before Advising Jawline Contouring?

At Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital, I do not recommend jawline contouring solely based on a patient’s desire to “create a V-line face.”

The first step is to determine the cause of the square appearance of the face or the enlargement of the lower jaw.

The doctor will comprehensively evaluate the face, jawbone structure, jaw angle, chin, bilateral jaw relationship, and occlusal condition. For patients who are currently wearing braces, information about the current orthodontic treatment plan is also very important to avoid making a recommendation that is separate from the ongoing dental treatment process.

Based on the examination and diagnostic imaging results, the doctor can then determine whether you are suitable for jaw angle contouring, combined chin contouring, additional correction of other bone structures, or coordinated treatment with orthodontics.

The goal is not to remove as much bone as possible, but to create a jawline that is balanced with the entire face while respecting function and anatomical structures.

If you are wearing braces and intend to undergo jawline contouring, do not remove your braces or decide on the timing of surgery on your own.

Provide the surgeon with information about your current orthodontic condition, your orthodontist’s treatment plan, and the issues you wish to improve. If necessary, the two specialties should coordinate to agree on the appropriate timing of intervention.

In particular, if you are wearing braces to treat an overbite, underbite, jaw deviation, or malocclusion, it is necessary to clearly distinguish whether you need aesthetic jawline contouring or actually require orthognathic surgery.

In summary: jawline contouring may still be considered while wearing braces in certain cases, but there is no single timeline that applies to everyone. Only after evaluating the jawbone structure, occlusion, and orthodontic treatment plan can the doctor determine the appropriate timing and safest treatment method.