Miami Lakes people can understand this jaw disease that affects both function and appearance by knowing what prognathism means. We tell patients that prognathism is a condition where one or both jaws stick out more than they should. This developmental difference can happen in the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. It can change the shape of the face and make it harder to do certain things.
Prognathism means the jaw bones are in an unusual forward position compared to the rest of the face. Maxillary prognathism is when the upper jaw sticks out too much. When the lower jaw sticks out too much, we call it mandibular prognathism. Some people have both, which makes treatment more complicated. The severity of prognathism varies a lot, from mild that doesn’t really affect function to severe that needs surgery.
Genetic and environmental factors that affect jaw growth are both causes of prognathism. Genetic factors are big because this condition runs in families for several generations. Certain growth patterns in childhood and adolescence can also lead to an over prominent jaw. We see cases of thumb sucking, tongue pushing or other oral habits that slow down the natural growth of the jaw over time.
People with prognathism often have problems with their function that goes beyond how they look. When the jaw is out of alignment it’s hard to chew since the teeth don’t fit together properly. It’s also hard to speak effectively especially when certain sounds need your teeth to be in the right place. Patients often experience jaw joint problems due to the unusual tension on the temporomandibular joints during daily activities.
The changes in the face that comes with prognathism can have a big impact on their self esteem and how they interact with others. Patients may have a chin that sticks out, an upper lip area that’s longer or a face that’s overall unbalanced depending on which jaw is affected. We know many patients seek treatment because they are worried about how they look especially when they are teenagers and want to fit in with their peers.
At Specialty Smiles we use a variety of diagnostic instruments to look at both the skeletal and dental aspects of prognathism. A clinical exam shows how far the jaw sticks out and how it affects the alignment of the teeth and the balance of the face. We also use x-rays and other imaging methods to look at the bones underneath and determine the best way to treat them. This thorough evaluation helps us determine if orthodontic treatment alone can fix the condition or if surgery is needed.
The severity of prognathism and the patient’s age at diagnosis determines the treatment options. Growth modification treatments that help the jaw grow in a better way may work well for mild cases found in youth. Moderate cases usually need full orthodontic treatment that fixes both the position of the teeth and the jaw. Severe cases usually need both orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery to get the best functional and aesthetic results.
The best chance of getting good results is to catch prognathism early. We recommend kids get orthodontic checkups by the time they are 7 years old to find jaw problems that are getting worse before they get too bad. We can often use preventive measures or interceptive treatment during these early exams to reduce the need for more invasive procedures later on. So, regular visits to the dentist when you are a child is really important to monitor normal growth.
The length of time it takes to treat prognathism depends a lot on the method used and the patient. Some people get good results from just orthodontic treatment which usually takes 18-36 months. Some people need surgery to fix the problem and then more orthodontic work to make it better which can take several years. We work closely with patients and their families to help them understand how long treatment will take and what the results will be.
If you don’t get treatment for prognathism it will get worse over time. The extra tension on the teeth and jaw joints can cause too much wear, jaw pain and possibly even worse problems. Braces for Teens or other relevant procedures can help Miami Lakes patients who want full care avoid these long term problems and make their teeth look and work better.