An Underdeveloped Jaw’s Effect on Faces
Are the things we dislike about our appearance rooted in the unfulfilled potential of jaw development? In many cases, the answer could be yes. Jaw underdevelopment is one of the most recognizable symptoms of TMJ disorder and evidence of the negative effects of epigenetics. That same underdeveloped jaw is usually followed closely behind by undesirable facial growth.
What Habits Contribute to Underdevelopment?
Having an underdeveloped jaw isn’t as rare as it sounds. It’s estimated that roughly 70-80% of children show signs of underdevelopment in both upper and lower jaws. This developmental problem is thought to be a result of
- Breathing habits
- Allergies
- Diet
- Chewing and swallowing patterns
Take diet for example. Eating foods that are over-processed and loaded with refined sugars is widely accepted as unhealthy compared to their organic unprocessed counterparts. Evidence even suggests that highly-processed foods are responsible for stunted skeletal growth in children. Additionally, the dramatic shift we’ve taken toward more processed foods could be seen as a contributing factor to the food allergy/inflammatory reaction that leads to nasal congestion which in turn leads to mouth-breathing and altered facial growth.
Effects on the Face
An underdeveloped jaw can affect your face in a variety of ways. For example, an underdeveloped jaw, which contributes to underdeveloped facial bones can translate into:
- Crowded teeth
- Sunken cheekbones
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Nasal development
- Weak jawline
The Path to Progress
By stimulating the jaw’s growth potential, a person can benefit from a more completely developed face. Growth guidance and remodeling treatment plans gently and safely lead growth by applying a growth appliance. This appliance can make room for crowded teeth and contribute to further facial development in a forward horizontal direction, impacting the appearance of the eyes, nose, cheekbones, and jaw in the process.
Schedule A Consultation
If you’re interested in what face-forward orthodontics can do for you and the way you look, please call Dr. Buck to schedule a consultation at 425-361-7499.
