Dr. Nicholas Papapetros, D.M.D. Explains Jaw Alignment

SHREWSBURY, Mass. - Aug. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- Modern dentistry doesn’t simply address the health of your teeth. There are many more oral health matters that dentists see and manage every day, from gum disease to oral cancer. And dentists are also concerned with the health of your jaw.

An incorrect alignment of the jaw – also known as malocclusion – can be mild, moderate, or severe and can affect overall facial appearance and health. Many people wish to address their jaw alignment in order to modify their facial shape or appearance, but a misaligned jaw can also result in jaw or facial pain, difficulties in chewing and swallowing, or a jaw that clicks or pops. Malocclusion can also cause speech problems such as lisps. Even more extensive health problems can occur when the jaw is not properly aligned, such as shoulder and neck pain, migraines, dizziness, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

An incorrect or unbalanced alignment of the lower and upper jaws can also place stress upon the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ). Stress on this joint can radiate outward and affect the entire head. A temporomandibular disorder (or TMD) is sometimes difficult to diagnose and is attributed to stress. But if you feel that you might be experiencing this type of joint pain, it’s worth asking your dentist to take a look at your jaw alignment and assess whether the alignment may be placing pressure on your TMJ and causing discomfort.

There are many possible causes of malocclusion. Sometimes it is simply hereditary. The removal of wisdom teeth, trauma to the jaw, or disease can also cause a misalignment. Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting can also alter the way the jaw comes together. And the jaw is shaped and aligned by the number of teeth and crowding – so extra or missing teeth and impacted teeth can alter its alignment as well.

The good news is that there are therapies that can help correct jaw alignment. While surgery may be an option for more extreme cases, there are certain dental appliances that can be worn to correct for a simple overbite or underbite. Sometimes these appliances are used in conjunction with other orthodontic therapies such as braces, but jaw alignment is not necessarily dependent on the straightness of your teeth.

If you are self-conscious about your jaw alignment or the way your jaw comes together is a source of pain or discomfort, you can ask your dentist to examine you for signs of malocclusion. With a variety of corrective therapies available, it’s likely that you will be on your way to proper jaw alignment in no time.