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Facial asymmetry and Orthodontics
Facial asymmetry
How to detect facial asymmetry?
There are many signs that someone can see in their facial features that can be an indication of facial asymmetry. Some are listed below. 1. When the smile line is canted vertically or sideway. 2. When the lip line or smile line is not parallel with the eyes. 3. When the tip of the chin is shifted to one side and is not aligned with the nose or the line between the eyes. 4. While smiling, more teeth show on one side than the other. 5. The size of the face is more prominent on one side. 6. The position of the teeth is asymmetrical both vertically and sideways. 7. The position of the front teeth can be shifted. 8. The upper and lower teeth midlines are not aligned. 9. The bite is not the same on both sides.
Misaligned TMJ can cause facial asymmetry
Facial asymmetry is related to the position of the TMJ and the teeth
How is facial asymmetry related to Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the dental specialty that aligns the upper and lower jaws with the teeth so that they can meet each other in the best functional and esthetic way possible. The most important part of the orthodontist’s work is the alignment of the jaws before the alignment of the teeth.
How are facial asymmetries developed?
Facial asymmetries are very common but not very normal!
Our skull consists of 22 pieces of bone that are attached to each other like pieces of puzzle to make a perfect face. If any piece of the puzzle is different in shape or size, will separate one’s face from perfection. Facial asymmetries can be caused by a sudden trauma to face or can occur as a developmental issue during our growth, most likely affected by our muscle activities. The way we use our muscles can reshape our facial skeleton and reposition our teeth. For example, the facial feature of a kid or a person with thumb-sucking habit clearly indicates their habits. They usually have protruded upper front teeth, with anterior open bite and a narrow palate, all as the result of the effect of the muscles sucking activity as well as the push from the thumb placed in the mouth.
Another example is a person with mouth-breathing habit, so called ” Adenoid face” among orthodontists. A person who often has congested nasal path or enlarged Adenoid or tonsilitis has difficulty breathing through their nose. In order to survive they have to keep their mouth open and hold their tongue down to clear the airway for breathing. These people usually have a long face and some extra tissue below their jaw as they hold their tongue down at all times.
All the possible reasons that could vary from genetics to sudden trauma or bad habits or missing teeth or dental misalignments can cause asymmetrical development of the jaws. It is important to know that facial asymmetries are developed over our lifetime. They occur with a very slow paste and make changes very slowly to the point that we don’t notice them, or we accept them as our facial features.
Facial asymmetry correction
Is it possible to correct the facial asymmetry?
Since facial asymmetries usually occur over time while the individual is growing. They can have a permanent effect if not detected and corrected on time. Depending on how severe the facial asymmetry is and at what age patient is seeking help there are different options available to correct the facial asymmetry. Therefore, it is very important to examine each patient individually and have a customized plan for the correction of asymmetry for that patient.
