Narrow jaw - what can be done to make my face, the lower half in particular, less narrow and more normal? (Photo)

Question

I have a narrow lower jaw, it's crooked. It's more obvious with mouth open.but, as you'll see in the pictures, my lower lip is not aligned with the top. My face looks unbalanced and abnormal.I'm in my thirties and this has bothered me for a very long time. I have consulted orthognathic surgeons and received mixed opinions. What can be done to make my face, the lower half in particular, less narrow and more normal? I wish the angle of my jaw was less steep also.

Gerald Wittenberg, MSc, DMD (retired) · Answer

your perspective is quite accurate. You have a 'high angle' growth pattern which yields a short 'ramus/back of the jawline' and a 'longer ' section of the lower jaw which gives the face a tapered 'triangular' shape. The 'improvement' can be nicely achieved with augmentation of the angles/ramus of the jaw which increases the height at the back of the jaw; and increases the width of the jaw. It should be combined with a genioplasty in some cases to ensure a smooth contour between the front and the back of the jawline. This is a common growth pattern often associated with a malocclusion as well.

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