Uncanny after braces?

[Anonymous]

I work at a high school and have noticed through the years that a lot of kids have very strange smiles after braces. I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say they look uncanny afterwards. The teeth somehow look flat and almost too big for their lips to move properly—or at least lack a normal curve—and just appear almost cartoonishly straight. What is going on? Are they needlessly putting braces on kids and screwing up their mouths? Any insight into this phenomenon? Has anyone else noticed this?

[Anonymous]

Oh lord please don’t say this - my kid just got braces.

[Anonymous]

I mentioned this to the ortho when we went in for consultation. Couldn't really give me a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at a high school and have noticed through the years that a lot of kids have very strange smiles after braces. I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say they look uncanny afterwards. The teeth somehow look flat and almost too big for their lips to move properly—or at least lack a normal curve—and just appear almost cartoonishly straight. What is going on? Are they needlessly putting braces on kids and screwing up their mouths? Any insight into this phenomenon? Has anyone else noticed this?

My kid is in braces. Can you post examples of what you mean?

[Anonymous]

Uncanny? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

[Anonymous]

We call it "the braces look" in my house. Thank god my kid didn't get it after having braces, but I specifically told the orthodontist we didn't want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at a high school and have noticed through the years that a lot of kids have very strange smiles after braces. I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say they look uncanny afterwards. The teeth somehow look flat and almost too big for their lips to move properly—or at least lack a normal curve—and just appear almost cartoonishly straight. What is going on? Are they needlessly putting braces on kids and screwing up their mouths? Any insight into this phenomenon? Has anyone else noticed this?

My kid is in braces. Can you post examples of what you mean?

Tiger Woods

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at a high school and have noticed through the years that a lot of kids have very strange smiles after braces. I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say they look uncanny afterwards. The teeth somehow look flat and almost too big for their lips to move properly—or at least lack a normal curve—and just appear almost cartoonishly straight. What is going on? Are they needlessly putting braces on kids and screwing up their mouths? Any insight into this phenomenon? Has anyone else noticed this?

My kid is in braces. Can you post examples of what you mean?

Tiger Woods

But he is older, so can you post an example of a good results with braces? Or do you just mean straight teeth with braces?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uncanny? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

It means something's off but you can't quite put your finger on it. Like how a humanoid robot's movements and expressions aren't quite natural, but it's difficult to articulate exactly how.

Uncanny seems like the right word for a kid with new braces. They move their mouths in unnatural ways until they get used to the braces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We call it "the braces look" in my house. Thank god my kid didn't get it after having braces, but I specifically told the orthodontist we didn't want it.

So weird.

[Anonymous]

You’re just not used to seeing that child’s teeth without braces.

Also tweens/teens are often still growing into their teeth, so it’s common for it to look like the child’s teeth are too big for their face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uncanny? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

It means something's off but you can't quite put your finger on it. Like how a humanoid robot's movements and expressions aren't quite natural, but it's difficult to articulate exactly how.

Uncanny seems like the right word for a kid with new braces. They move their mouths in unnatural ways until they get used to the braces.

I still have no idea what you’re talking about.

[Anonymous]

I know what you mean. I think Colin Jost is an example and it distracts me when I watch SNL.

[Anonymous]

Maybe all the kids at your school go to the same orthodontist

[Anonymous]

After three years of braces and teeth removal, my kid is having surgery to fix her jaw. The doctor also mentioned maybe having a genioplasty. I'm sure it will take her a while to get used to her new mouth!