I had my teeth straightened with braces as they were slightly crowded. The crookedness wasn’t too visible and I didn’t feel any discomfort from it. My orthodontist told me that the adjustment was more for cosmetic purpose and I didn’t really need it since my teeth were not so bad that I couldn’t bite like a normal person. But he said my teeth would be properly aligned and look better so I might as well do it anyway. After wearing braces for over a year, I am almost done but I am now worried if this is impermissible because I am making an amendment to my body which is not necessary for my health. If it is not permissible I could stop the treatment where it is and this should cause no harm.
Answer:
As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
We applaud you on the concern that you have to ensure that this treatment of yours is in line with the teachings of the Deen. According to the Fuqaha, there is permission for one to have dental treatment done and in particular it is permissible to wear braces to straighten out the teeth.
You raised the concern that you were worried if this is impermissible because you are making an amendment to your body which is not necessary for your health. We concur that Allah Ta’aala has forbidden a person from making changes to his/her body for reasons of mere beauty and adornment, wearing braces however does not fall within the ambit of this impermissibility. In the Hadith of Abdullah bin Umar (Radhiallah Anhu) quoted in Muslim, there is clear mention of those actions that are impermissible when it comes to making changes to one’s body. Amongst these forbidden changes is: spacing the teeth for beauty. Under the commentary of this Prophetic statement, Allamah Nawawi (Rahimahullah) mentions that if the treatment is done for other reasons such as defectiveness within the teeth, then it will be permissible.
Hence, it will be permissible to wear braces and have dental treatment done.
AND ALLAH TA’AALA KNOWS BEST
Muhammad Panchbhaya