Cheek & Jaw Restructuring: What You Need to Know

Do you have an uneven jaw that you would want to correct? Is it possible to realign them safely? What about mewing? Can it reshape your face? Well, these are some of the questions we seek to address in this quick guide. For, unless you have some background knowledge of what to expect, you may spend lots of cash on cosmetic treatments that are not appropriate for your condition. Then, let’s get to it!

What Causes Uneven Jaws?

A person whose teeth fail to fit together could be suffering from an uneven jawline. This jaw may be too small, too wide, too narrow, too elongated, or aligned in a crooked position. This condition arises due to many underlying conditions, the commonest one being TMJ disorder.

TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint that hinges the jawbone to the skull has an injury or inflammation. Likewise, this joint may be causing pain to the surrounding muscles due to arthritis or a genetic disorder. Then, the person may experience difficulty talking, smiling, breathing, chewing, or sleeping.

An uneven jaw can result in an improper bite that wears off the teeth. In extreme cases, you can experience pain as the nerve endings become exposed. Also, the uneven jaw may result in an overall facial asymmetry that affects the cheeks, chin, eyes, and nose. Luckily, there are reconstructive procedures available to correct the cheeks and jaws.

What Does Cheek and Jaw Restructuring Entail?

Cheek chin, and jaw restructuring consists of a series of surgical and non-procedures to correct the facial asymmetry. That is, the procedures restore the balance of the facial features for a healthy appearance.

The history of surgical facial reconstruction dates back to the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II. Here the surgeons experimented with various procedures to try and reconstruct the badly damaged face bones war heroes. It is here that today’s successful surgical techniques began. Today’s surgeon has access to the latest equipment that includes titanium screws and plates essential for precise treatments.

Here are some of the treatments:

Jaw Alignment Treatments

1. Non-Surgical Procedures

· Regular Braces

If your misaligned jaw causes you to have an overbite, braces can help to rectify the issue. Here, a jaw expander that comprises of wires and palates are fixed on the jaw to align the crooked or crowded teeth. Further, the patient uses a unique key to widen the expander each night. This treatment takes up to a year when the jaw will have extended to the desired size, allowing the teeth to align correctly.

· Headgear Braces

Now, if the jaw misalignment is too extensive, you may need retraction and protraction headgears that will shift the jaw back or forward as desired. For at least half a day each day, you have to wear these braces with appropriate straps around the neck and head to keep them intact.

• A Reverse Pull Face Mask

Here, a mask that is similar to the headgear braces is worn each night to correct an underbite.

2. Surgical Treatment

· Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery aims at aligning the jaw and teeth for an improved smile and better oral health. Here, the surgeon will employ a set of wires, screws, templates, and surgical plates to correct an improper bite. Orthognathic surgery is applicable if you have any of the following conditions: –

• Inborn defects
• TMJ disorders
• Involuntary breathing via the mouth
• Lips that won’t close normally
• Injury due to trauma to the facial bones
• An open or improper bite
• Prognathism
• Receding chin or jaw
• A deformed jaw or chin due to a tumor

Orthognathic Surgery works best for cheek chin and jaw restructuring for persons with mature facial bones. Hence, this excludes children with such conditions. Here, they can only access the treatment once they are between 13 years and 15 years for girls or 16 years and 18 years for boys.

· Cheek and Chin Reshaping

Now, do you suffer from a jutting chin? That is, does it appear to be protruding, making the front look longer? If so, the dental surgeon will perform an appropriate procedure, including Genio Osteotomy, to reduce the length of the chin. Or, he may do an IVRO that involves cutting part of the lower jaw. But, it there is an imbalance between the jaws due to the jutting chin, a Two Jaw Surgery would be appropriate. All these procedures require fixation of the jaw after the surgery, which can be quite straining to the patient.

Other cheeks and chin reshaping procedures involve making cuts under the chin or inside the mouth. In turn, they leave no visible scars.

3. What About Mewing?

Finally, there are some cheek chin and jaw restructuring procedures that you can do at home to help align your facial features. One such technique is mewing. It is a tongue placement exercise that helps to define your jaw and even correct any developing speech impediment. That way, you can do the routine to relieve any jaw pain and minimize snoring. Other benefits include: –

• It promotes your facial structure, in turn,
• It enhances your facial appearance.
• You can have better swallowing and breathing.
• Your energy levels go up.
• It helps in expanding the palate.
• Improved sleep associated with mewing will further improve the eye areas.

Still, this method faces many limitations as follows: –

• The technique is tiring.
• It takes time to see any changes.
• Some people experienced a sore throat.

Then, as you embrace the mewing craze, take note of its limitations so that you can use it to your advantage.

Conclusion

Note that today’s cheek chin and jaw restructuring techniques involve using incisions, screws, and plates that remain hidden in the mouth. That way, it is almost impossible to pinpoint a recipient of such treatments. Then, talk to your dentist and pick a procedure that will help you restore your smile faster and safely.