It has not quite been half a year yet since I finished orthodontic treatment. I had 2 molars extracted from the upper jaw and 2 from the lower jaw, 4 teeth total, and then started orthodontic treatment. At first, I used self-ligating Clippy-C brackets, but the orthodontic appliances kept breaking and wearing down, so I just switched to metal ones. I did it for about 5 years in total.
To share my review after orthodontic treatment: 1. My face shape did not change dramatically - The peanut-shaped face issue became much better after finishing treatment. As my mouth moved inward, my lower jaw looked bigger. The difference is not huge, but before, I often heard that my face was small, whereas after orthodontic treatment I heard a lot that my face looked long. - I think there are specific types of faces that change dramatically in shape (very severe underbite, very protruded mouth, or very asymmetrical). 2. When I smile, my chin protrudes - I think this is common among people who have had orthodontic treatment. Two of my friends also had orthodontic treatment, and when they smile, their chins protrude. 3. The teeth become weaker - When I eat something hot or cold, my teeth feel sensitive more often. My gums have receded a little, so I also have black triangles.
In conclusion, if you are doing orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons, I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely do not recommend it. Absolutely not. I had rabbit-like front teeth and my teeth were not very even, so I did it, but I still regret it. I was extremely stressed because my jaw got bigger and my face became longer, so I even got meridian massages and things like that. Unless your teeth are so uneven that you really cannot use them properly, I hope most people do not get orthodontic treatment. Extractions are not good either. While wearing braces, I felt like my teeth and gums became much weaker.