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What is the Difference Between a 'Weak Chin' and Micrognathia/retrognathia and How Do You Know Which One You Have? (photo)

Also, it is common to have a weak chin. The only thing I know for sure is that I have an overbite. I don't have chewing issues or breathing issues and I breathe through my nose throughout the day. My teeth are not squeezed together as sometimes happens when you have the smaller lower jaw issue. So how can I tell which one I have and are you able to tell for sure from just these pictures?

Doctor Answers 2

What is the Difference Between a 'Weak Chin' and Micrognathia/retrognathia and How Do You Know Which One You Have?

April 7th, 2013
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    You can differentiate microgenia from retrognathia or micrognathia by examining the bite and assessing whether there is a jaw deficiency or just a chin deficiency.  An orthodontist should be able to assess this, and cephalometrics may be performed to substantiate this.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Chin-Implant.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
April 7th, 2013

What is the Difference Between a 'Weak Chin' and Micrognathia/retrognathia and How Do You Know Which One You Have?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

    You can differentiate microgenia from retrognathia or micrognathia by examining the bite and assessing whether there is a jaw deficiency or just a chin deficiency.  An orthodontist should be able to assess this, and cephalometrics may be performed to substantiate this.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Learn more: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Chin-Implant.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Weak Chin vs Weak Jaw

March 25th, 2013
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One's dentition is the key to differentiating a weak chin from a weak total lower jaw. But by just looking at your profile any chin concerns you have are not part of a deficient lower jaw but just a weaker chin.

Web reference: http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/chin.html

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
March 25th, 2013

Weak Chin vs Weak Jaw

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

One's dentition is the key to differentiating a weak chin from a weak total lower jaw. But by just looking at your profile any chin concerns you have are not part of a deficient lower jaw but just a weaker chin.

Learn more: http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/chin.html

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
*Treatment results may vary

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.