Long face syndrome is a complex condition that affects many people in Miami Lakes who want full treatment for both functional and cosmetic issues. We see patients all the time who have the classic signs of this condition: long face, more gum show when smiling, trouble closing their lips comfortably. This condition usually starts in childhood or adolescence when the bones of the face grow in a certain way that creates the long, thin facial profile that is so recognizable.
Learning about the anatomical features that cause long face syndrome can help you understand why this condition affects how you look and how your mouth works. People with this condition typically have vertical growth of the lower face, especially in the area between the nose and chin. The top jaw can look narrow and high-arched, and the lower jaw can be further back than normal. These anatomical differences give the face its dimensions and can make it hard to breathe, speak and chew.
Genetic factors that affect how the face grows are often involved in the development of long face syndrome. Environmental factors can also play a role. Many patients get their vertical face growth from their parents or other family members. Chronic mouth breathing caused by enlarged tonsils, adenoids or nasal blockages can also cause too much vertical facial growth during critical growth phases. We often find links between breathing difficulties and face development that need to be treated together.
The best way to get help for long face syndrome is to notice the signs early on in childhood. Parents often see their child keeps their mouth open a lot, has trouble shutting their lips or shows too much gum when they smile. These kids may also have chronic dry mouth, recurrent respiratory infections or snoring while they sleep. We recommend you have your child evaluated at age 7 to see how their face is developing and find any concerns that may be getting worse.
At Specialty Smiles we treat long face syndrome by making a detailed plan that takes into account both the bones and the teeth that make up the problem. The patient’s age, the severity of the condition and if they are still growing all play a role in how they are treated. Growth modification treatments can help young patients. Most of the time older patients need both orthodontic and surgical treatments to get the best results.
Sometimes early intervention in childhood and adolescence can change how the face grows and make long face syndrome less severe. Functional appliances can help redirect growth forces and promote a more horizontal facial development. Also, treating nasal blockages with medicine or surgery can help with breathing problems and support normal growth patterns in the face. We work with other professionals to make sure developing patients get all the care they need.
Long face syndrome affects more than how the face looks; it also affects how well people can do things every day and how good their lives are. People with this condition have trouble eating properly because their bites are off. It may also be hard to speak clearly especially for sounds that need certain lip and tongue postures. Also not being able to shut your lips comfortably can make you feel self-conscious in social situations and less confident while talking to other people.
When treating long face syndrome with braces it’s important to plan carefully so both the teeth and the face are in the right place. To lower the height of the face and make the lips close better traditional methods may involve removing some teeth. Certain patterns of tooth movement can also help improve facial support and the overall proportions of the face. Because the movements are so complex the treatment time is generally longer than most orthodontic cases.
Surgical surgery is required for severe cases of long face syndrome especially in adult patients for whom growth modification is no longer possible. Orthognathic surgery can move the bones in the jaw to make the face look better and work better. This usually requires orthodontic treatment before and after surgery to get the best results. We work with oral surgeons to design these complex cases.
Ongoing retention and monitoring is needed to keep the results stable over time especially for patients who have had a lot of treatment. Custom retention appliances help keep teeth in the right place and support the face that was gained through treatment. We can monitor stability and address any changes that happen over time at regular follow up appointments. As part of our comprehensive approach we often evaluate sleep disorders since patients with long face syndrome may benefit from Sleep Apnea treatment to address breathing problems.
We are committed to providing specialized care for long face syndrome that meets both functional and aesthetic goals for Miami Lakes patients looking for full orthodontic solutions.