Can an asymmetrical jaw affect the facial bones and eye socket?

Question

I wish you a good day, my jaw is very asymmetrical, one half of my face is shorter and on that side my cheekbones are pushed out, but on the other side it is flattened and very asymmetrical, could the eye sockets be related to the jaw?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Jaw asymmetry can be related to overall facial skeletal asymmetry, but in an adult the jaw usually does not directly “push” or change the eye socket by itself. More commonly, the jaw, cheekbone, orbit, and soft tissues may all be part of the same underlying facial asymmetry pattern.

Possible causes include normal developmental asymmetry, mandibular growth differences, condylar hyperplasia, prior trauma, bite/orthodontic issues, hemifacial microsomia, or other craniofacial growth differences. If one side of the face is shorter and the cheekbone/orbital area also looks different, the eye socket may be involved as part of the same skeletal asymmetry, but this cannot be determined from description alone.

The best evaluation would be with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a craniofacial plastic surgeon. They may recommend facial photographs, bite evaluation, dental models or scans, and sometimes a CT or 3D CT scan to assess the jaw, cheekbones, and orbital bones. A facelift would not correct bony asymmetry; treatment, if needed, depends on whether the main issue is bone position, bite, soft tissue volume, or a combination.

Michal Brichacek, MD · Answer

Asymmetry of the jaw itself should not cause issues with the cheek bones or the eye. This constellation of findings suggests that you may have a craniofacial anomaly of some sort. This could be something such as hemifacial microsomia. I would suggest seeing a craniofacial surgeon for a proper assessment.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It may happen that multiple facial bones are affected in a process of facial growth and, as a result, one side of patient's face may look significantly smaller. Correction can be achieved with facial implants, fat grafting, fillers and, in more severe cases, free tissue transfer in the form of flaps. Hope this helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You did not post photos, but yes, the whole half of your face could be different from the other half. Detailed X-rays could be done to see what options you may have if you wish to improve your bone structure.

Jose Segura, MD, PhD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, facial asymmetries are effects of growth and development of the face and if they are present in adulthood they can be corrected with alloplastic materials to improve the appearance or the use of fat or biomaterials. If you want to correct them, a complete evaluation must be carried out. I hope you consider this opinion

Can an asymmetrical jaw affect the facial bones and eye socket?

Answers (5)

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