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What to Do if Your Lower Jaw Protrudes


Posted on 1/20/2019 by Dr. Simon K Choyee
What to Do if Your Lower Jaw ProtrudesWhen your jaw is misaligned, it can not only affect your bite, but can also create other problems as the upper and lower teeth meet in different places than the ones intended by nature. When your lower jaw protrudes in front of the upper jaw, it can cause things like worn enamel, which could lead to tooth decay.

What is a Protruding Jaw and What Causes It?


A protruding lower jaw is also called prognathism and an extended chin and, in general, is the result of an underlying condition that needs a diagnose and treatment. There are also hereditary and rarely developmental reasons for a protruding lower jaw. In some cases, the body produces excess growth hormone which causes the chin to be larger and in others it happens due to conditions that occur while the fetus is developing.

Treating Lower Jaw Protrusion


Having a lower jaw that protrudes can cause someone to be self-conscious about their appearance. Moreover, this condition can cause bite problems, and even issues when chewing or talking. The jaw misalignment can also mean you are more prone to decay and periodontal disease because the lower teeth are harder to clean. Talking about your options with our surgeon is essential.

Some of the options to treat a protruding jaw includes braces, which will help to realign the teeth, so they are placed correctly and surgery. We may need to reposition part of the jawbone and remove others. Following the procedure, the jaw will need to stay in place until it's repositioned. It takes about 12 months to recover from this surgery, but you may go back to school or work after between one and three weeks.

In some cases, this condition could be related to cancer and radiation or chemotherapy will be needed to control the growth hormone production.


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