Overview
Jaw malalignment happens
when the upper and lower jaws
where the teeth are based are
not aligned. It affects not just
your facial appearance but also
your bite, speech and chewing.
Oral hygiene is harder to
maintain with poor bite and
crooked teeth.
Early Treatment of Jaw Malalignment
Jaw malalignment and damaging
bites may be treated before puberty.
The best age for treatment for jaw
malalignment and damaging bites can
range from 7 to 14 years old.
Your child’s orthodontist is the
best person to recommend the
correct mode and timing of early
treatment. Your child should see an
orthodontist at age seven for an
assessment.
Deficient Growth of Jaws
Deficient growth of the upper jaw can
be treated using a facemask or reverse
pull headgear. A narrow upper jaw can be treated with an expansion screw.
Deficient growth of the lower
jaw can be treated by functional
appliances.
The success of treatment depends on
compliance with appliance wear and
the natural growth potential of the
child.
Excessive Growth of Jaws
Upper jaw growth can be restricted
using a headgear. The success of
treatment depends on compliance
with appliance wear.
Restriction of lower jaw growth is
often unpredictable and prone to
relapse. Such treatment is rarely
undertaken.
Treatment of Bite
When the jaws are misaligned, teeth
may be forced to a bite in a manner
which is damaging to the health of the
teeth and gums. If left untreated, this
can lead to loosening and early loss
of teeth.
Teeth can be brought out of a
damaging bite using fixed or
removable appliances. The bite
may need to be propped up with
cement or plastic blocks in order
to align the teeth. The success of
treatment depends on compliance
with appliance wear and maintaining
good oral hygiene.
In adults, these disharmonies of jaw
size or position can only be corrected
surgically.