Jaw Deformities

Jaw growth is a slow and gradual process. In some children, the upper or lower jaw grows too much or too little, resulting in a jaw deformity. In some cases, the growth of both jaws can be affected as well. These deformities can be mild or more severe, with the more severe abnormalities requiring surgical intervention. This abnormal growth can cause problems with the alignment of your child’s teeth, which can affect the ability to speak and chew. Malocclusion (an improper bite) can also cause long-term problems with the teeth and gums.

A jaw abnormality can be isolated (meaning the child does not have a syndrome or condition associated with the jaw abnormality), or the abnormality may occur in conjunction with another craniofacial anomaly such as cleft lip and cleft palate or Pierre Robin sequence.

Diagnosis of Jaw Deformities

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon will obtain your child’s medical history and complete a detailed physical and dental evaluation. Imaging tests may also be conducted in conjunction with this evaluation in order to create an individualized treatment plan.

Treatments

Treatments for jaw deformities include:

Orthodontic appliances. Treatment with braces or other orthodontic appliances, such as palatal expanders and arch retainers, is effective for some jaw deformities.
Surgery. For more serious jaw abnormalities, corrective surgery can improve jaw alignment. A variety of surgical techniques can be used to correct these issues, including traditional bone grafts and bone lengthening procedures. The goal of surgery is to improve function and restore facial balance.

For many patients, a combination of surgical and orthodontic treatment yields the best results.

Key Points to Remember

Jaw deformities occur when one or both jaws grow too much or too little.
Children with these conditions may have trouble speaking and chewing, and they sometimes develop long-term problems with the teeth and gums.
The most effective treatment approach for jaw deformities is often a combination of surgery and braces or other orthodontic appliances.

Support Services & Resources

Visit the following website for more information on jaw deformities.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

MedlinePlus

Learn more about the causes of and treatment for malocclusion (the improper alignment of the teeth), a common side effect of a jaw deformity.

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.