There have been numerous questions regarding facial asymmetry. Traditional dentistry has no interest in what biologyor physiology of person is. Physiologic Dentistry or Neurmuscular Dentistry addresses these issues. Facial asymmetry cases often present in our office for two primary reasons:
- Purely Esthetic
- TMJ pain or Functional reason
Facial Asymmetry and Misaligned Jaw
TMJ Treatment and Jaw Alignment with Porcelain
Why does facial asymmetry happen? Many times there is some factor that causes asymmetrical development. This could be environmental such as allergies, tonsils, soft diets as child. Other factors are tongue tie, mouth breathing, aberrant swallowing, low tongue posture, trauma, oral maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, or any corruption in growth that the body responds too.
Facial asymmetry can be further exacerbated by:
- forces are not equivalent on both sides with the facial muscles and jaw joints
- Stress not distributed through cranial sutures
- Bone responding to abnormal forces from these issues
- Lack of chewing on both sides
To help correct these facial asymmetries there are usually several options ranging from non-surgical jaw alignment corrections to using porcelain to correct these issues. The causative factors need to be addressed at the same time to help long term stability.
Sometimes Anterior Growth Guided Appliances can be indicated along with an orthotic to help with jaw development and correction of the misaligned jaw. Other times, with worn or damaged teeth, the use of conservative porcelain restorations can be used to build the misaligned bite to the corrected position.
If you have any questions about facial asymmetry and non-surgical facelifts to help correct these asymmetries or misaligned bites, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289.
