what’s it and the way is it corrected?

There are several situations and disorders that may affect people’s bite and the harmony of their smile and face. Mandibular prognathism is considered one of these alterations. What’s it? What are its fundamental causes?

This can be a condition that’s characterised by the presence of a lower jaw that’s too large or too far forward in relation to the upper jaw. The jaw protrudes and affects occlusion and facial aesthetics. We’ll inform you more about it in this text.

What’s mandibular prognathism?

The word “prognathism” comes from the Greek “pro,” which implies “forward,” and “gnathos,” which implies “jaw.” This disorder can also be often known as “skeletal class III malocclusion.”

As we already told you, it’s the extension or protrusion of the lower jaw forward. This protrusion causes the chin to protrude excessively and noticeably on the face. Often, that is as a result of excessive growth of the lower jaw.

Nonetheless, it will probably even be brought on by the shortage of development of the upper bone that’s positioned far behind. Thus, the upper and lower teeth cannot relate properly.

The causes of mandibular prognathism

Essentially the most common origin of mandibular prognathism is often genetic and hereditary. It’s common for people born with a bigger lower jaw to have relatives with the identical problem.

Subsequently, if there’s a family history, it’s necessary to take children to the dentist and orthodontist at an early age. In this fashion, it should be possible to detect the issue with a view to address it early.

In any case, some external situations may favor the looks of this condition. Premature lack of milk teeth is an example. Tonsil or adenoid hypertrophy and mouth respiration are other aspects that increase the probabilities of prognathism.

Sometimes it will probably even be a symptom of other systemic diseases. Acromegaly, for instance, is a disorder through which there’s excessive growth hormone production and the jaw is often larger.

Individuals with Down syndrome and other rarer disorders, akin to Crouzon syndrome, Nevus syndrome, and conditions akin to acrodysostosis also often have prognathism.

The symptoms of mandibular prognathism

Essentially the most notable feature of this condition is a protruding chin. Nonetheless, this disorder generates several other symptoms, akin to the next:

• Malocclusion: The wrong relationship of the jaws to one another affects the bite and the position of the teeth within the mouth. The teeth of the lower arch close outside and in front of the upper teeth. Sometimes, an open bite will be generated when the person fails to shut their jaw appropriately.
• An alteration of oral functions: An individual with mandibular prognathism often has problems when biting, chewing, eating, and speaking. Diction problems, akin to lisping, are likely to be frequent.
• Problems within the temporomandibular joint.
• Frequent headaches.
• Aesthetic problems: A pronounced chin will be an aesthetic inconvenience for some individuals who don’t feel comfortable with its appearance. This may result in feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and difficulties regarding others.

How is mandibular prognathism diagnosed?

The diagnosis of mandibular prognathism is often suspected by the dentist and confirmed by an orthodontist. When the final dentist discovers signs of this condition, he/she makes an referral to the specialist for the resolution of the issue.

The physical examination and the clinical history data – akin to family history and certain oral habits – are necessary when arriving on the diagnosis. Nonetheless, other resources are also obligatory to assist the skilled confirm the diagnosis.

Dental and cranial radiographs, akin to orthopantomography and cephalometry, contribute to the study of the issue. Intra- and extra-oral photographs also provide precious information.

Bite impressions and obtaining a study solid complete the diagnostic process. The practitioner can plan probably the most appropriate treatment for every individual patient from this.

If an underlying medical condition causes mandibular prognathism, the dentist will suggest timely treatment for that condition with the suitable specialist.

How is it treated?

The therapeutic alternatives when addressing a skeletal class III occlusion problem depend upon the age of the patient. It’s not the identical to treat it in a baby or an adolescent – whose bones haven’t yet finished growing – as in an adult who’s already accomplished this formative process.

It’s less invasive and more conservative when treatment is carried out during childhood. As well as, it prevents the symptoms of this condition and its functional, aesthetic, and psychological effects from being prolonged over time.

Because of this, it’s really useful to take children to a pediatric dentist from the primary yr of life and to have a consultation with the orthodontist between 6 and seven years of age – and even earlier if the dentist suggests it – for an evaluation of the bite.

As soon as the primary signs are detected, starting treatment in childhood is far more useful. Nonetheless, you need to know that there are also therapeutic alternatives for adults. Here, we’ll inform you how the issue is often solved in each age groups.

The treatment of mandibular prognathism in children

During childhood and adolescence, it’s possible to correct the increased growth of the jaws. At this stage, it’s possible to benefit from the proven fact that bone formation continues to be energetic. This promotes the advancement of the upper jaw or slows down the advancement of the lower jaw in quest of a harmonious relationship.

Interceptive orthodontics, a procedure that acts on the expansion of the bony bases at a really early age, is used for this purpose. Within the case of mandibular prognathism, expander appliances are used to stimulate the event of the upper jaw.

Also, chin braces and orthodontic masks that decelerate the expansion of the jaw will likely be really useful. Once these procedures have been performed, it could be obligatory to complement with corrective orthodontic treatment to enhance dental alignment. When the bones are in the proper position, the malposition of the teeth is corrected to realize an excellent bite.

The treatment of mandibular prognathism in adults

Within the case of adults, in whom bone growth has already finished and mandibular prognathism has already been established, the treatment is more complex. If that is your case, you shouldn’t be discouraged, since it’s still possible to realize good results.

In mild cases, you may go for orthodontic treatment to correct the misalignment of the teeth. This may improve the bite and the looks of the smile and the connection between the upper and lower elements. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the looks of the face and isn’t at all times indicated.

In additional serious situations, when functional and esthetic problems are very evident, it’s obligatory to mix orthodontic treatment with orthognathic surgery.

The latter is a sort of maxillofacial surgery that makes it possible to revive symmetry and harmony to the face by putting the jaw bones in place.

Orthognathic surgery to correct mandibular prognathism

Before the person undergoes such surgery, various morphological and esthetic studies with X-rays and pictures are obligatory. This helps to plan the treatment, to contemplate the features to be corrected, and to find out probably the most appropriate techniques.

It also allows the person to be shown the possible result, which makes it easier for him/her to just accept the change and resolve any associated questions and concerns before the procedure. In any case, prior to this, it’s obligatory to wear orthodontic devices for a time period.

This makes the oral situation more favorable for the intervention. Particularly, the teeth are positioned in one of the best possible areas.

The surgery is performed in an operating room and under general anesthesia, so it requires hospitalization. It’s performed by a multidisciplinary team, through which the maxillofacial surgeon plays a key role. The duration of the procedure can take about 2 hours, although this will depend on the complexity of the case.

The method is finished through the oral cavity, so there might be no visible scar on the face. Depending on the sort of mandibular prognathism of the patient, the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or each bones might be mobilized.

Throughout the procedure, the surgeon performs an osteotomy of the maxilla, which consists of fracturing it and placing it backward. If obligatory, excess bone is removed. Also, to maintain the 2 bone fragments together, they’re fixed with titanium plates and pins.

Any such surgery can only be performed once the person’s growth has been accomplished. Within the case of women, this often occurs across the age of 16; in boys, it tends to occur between 17 and 18. Anyway, this will depend on each particular person.

What happens after corrective jaw surgery?

After the surgery, it’s obligatory to follow certain care procedures to favor the recovery of the tissues and to forestall complications. It would be obligatory to follow a liquid weight-reduction plan after which a soft weight-reduction plan to avoid mobilizing the jaw while it heals.

The surgeon will prescribe medication for pain and to avoid infections. He or she can even suggest rest for 1 to three weeks. It’s not advisable to exert yourself, exercise, or smoke during this time.

Once the recovery time has passed, it could be obligatory to return to braces for a time period. Your teeth will be positioned in the proper place with the braces to realize the specified smile.

Can prognathism be prevented?

When mandibular prognathism is as a result of hereditary or genetic issues or is an element of a syndrome, it’s impossible to forestall it. Nonetheless, it is feasible to act on the external aspects that favor the looks of this disorder.

Parents, for instance, play a fundamental role in caring for their children’s mouths and thus can assist prevent the lack of milk teeth before their time. Detecting and controlling harmful habits (akin to mouth respiration) and looking for an answer in time can also be a part of prevention.

Early and frequent dental check-ups also make it possible to detect any problems within the mouth early, even when the whole lot appears to be going well. Visiting the dentist is an easy but fundamental motion to forestall major problems in the long run.

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