A “crooked jaw” is a common concern that often leads individuals to explore orthodontic solutions. While braces are a well-known method for straightening teeth, their role in correcting jaw misalignments depends on the underlying cause and severity, as jaw alignment is a complex aspect of oral health.
Understanding Jaw Misalignment
A “crooked jaw” is medically termed malocclusion, meaning the upper and lower teeth do not align properly when the mouth is closed. This misalignment can manifest as:
An overbite, where upper teeth significantly overlap lower teeth.
An underbite, where lower front teeth extend beyond upper front teeth.
A crossbite, involving some upper teeth fitting inside lower teeth.
An open bite, a gap between upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed.
Malocclusion can stem from several factors, including:
Genetics, as jaw development can be inherited.
Childhood habits like prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use.
Injuries to the jaw or face, especially during developmental years.
Uneven jaw growth.
Overcrowded or crooked teeth, or ill-fitting dental restorations.
Braces and Their Role in Jaw Correction
Braces primarily work by applying continuous, gentle pressure to gradually shift teeth into correct positions. This involves brackets and wires affixed to the teeth, applying force that causes surrounding ligaments to stretch and compress. New bone forms to fill created gaps. This tooth movement can indirectly improve a mildly misaligned jaw by optimizing the bite.
Braces can correct overbites or underbites by repositioning teeth and influencing the relationship between dental arches. They can move teeth to address crowding or spacing, improving the overall bite. However, braces’ ability to correct jaw alignment is limited to primarily dental misalignments or mild skeletal discrepancies. If jawbones have structural issues, braces alone may not be sufficient.
When Braces Aren’t Enough: Other Treatments
For significant jaw misalignments, especially skeletal discrepancies, braces alone are often insufficient. Other treatments become necessary. For adults with fully developed jaws, orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) is recommended. This procedure surgically repositions jawbones to correct severe misalignments that cannot be addressed by tooth movement alone. It can improve:
Overbites
Underbites
Crossbites
Issues with chewing, speaking, or facial symmetry.
For younger patients whose jaws are still developing, growth modification appliances are used. These appliances, such as headgear or palatal expanders, guide jawbone and facial structure growth. Headgear, worn partially outside the mouth, applies external pressure to control or encourage jaw growth, often used for severe overbites or underbites. Palatal expanders widen a narrow upper jaw by gently separating the palate, creating more space for teeth and improving bite alignment. These interceptive treatments can prevent the need for surgery later by addressing skeletal imbalances during growth.
Navigating Your Treatment Journey
Correcting a crooked jaw begins with a professional diagnosis. An orthodontist or oral surgeon conducts a comprehensive evaluation to assess the extent and nature of the misalignment. This evaluation involves:
A clinical examination of the bite and jaw alignment.
Diagnostic imaging like X-rays, panoramic images, and 3D scans to visualize jawbone structure.
Dental impressions (traditional molds or digital scans) to create models of the teeth and bite.
Once diagnosed, the orthodontist and potentially an oral surgeon collaborate to develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan considers the misalignment’s severity, the patient’s age, and underlying causes. The timeline varies, from several months for minor dental adjustments to two to three years or more for complex cases involving surgery and subsequent orthodontic treatment. Regular appointments are necessary for adjustments and monitoring, requiring commitment to achieving proper jaw alignment.