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Prognathism is a condition where the jaw protrudes, causing the chin or upper jaw to lean forward. It can be genetic or caused by a medical condition. Treatment may include corrective orthodontics or surgery.
Prognathism is a condition in which part of the jaw protrudes, causing the chin or upper jaw to lean forward. It can be genetic, as is the case with the famous Habsburg jaw, or it can be the result of a medical condition. Depending on the severity of the condition, various treatments may be used to reduce the protrusion. Medical treatment is usually used when protruding jaw interferes with eating, breathing or speaking, or if someone feels deeply uncomfortable about their facial structure.
There are three types: mandibular, maxillary and alveolar. In mandibular prognathism, the lower jaw protrudes, causing the chin to protrude from the face. Jaw prognathism involves the upper jaw and typically creates an elongated facial appearance. Patients with alveolar prognathism have abnormalities around the part of the jaw where the teeth are located, with the teeth protruding from the face at an angle.
In some cases, prognathism is simply genetic. People of certain family lines and people in some regions of the world have this condition naturally, and it’s a fairly common family trait. In other cases, it may be caused by a genetic mutation or a genetic disorder such as Crouzon syndrome. It can also develop in response to conditions that emerge later in life, such as acromegaly, a disorder in which too much growth hormone is produced. If the problem develops suddenly, it can be a sign that someone is experiencing a medical condition that needs to be addressed.
Sometimes, prognathism can be caused by physical trauma or some activity on the part of the patient. Alveolar prognathism, for example, is linked to thumb sucking in children. Routine thumb or finger sucking night after night can cause teeth to move in the jaw, just like wearing orthodontics can correct drifting tooth positions. The jaw can also move after a break or serious injury, especially if it’s not set correctly.
Often, medical professionals recommend leaving prognathism alone. However, it can become a problem and some remedial measures can be taken in such cases. Corrective orthodontics that slowly brings the jaw into less extreme alignment can be helpful, especially in children, as they are still growing. Surgery can also be used to correct the condition, although surgery can be expensive and recovery time tends to be long.
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