I am a female and had braces. How to manage my uneven jaw?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a female. I have one side of my jaw longer than the other side. How can I treat it? I have had braces in the past.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Most jaw growth in females is nearly complete. If you feel that one side of your jaw is longer, and I can see a slight shift in the photo, it is likely a structural difference rather than something that will self-correct with further growth. Mild asymmetry like this is common and often harmless, especially if it does not affect your bite, speech, or cause muscle pain. Since you have had braces before, the alignment of your teeth may be fine, but the jaw itself could still be uneven.

To address this, the first step is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your records, including extra-oral and intra-oral photos, radiographs, and measurements. If the shift is mainly cosmetic and your bite is stable, treatment may not be necessary. However, if it noticeably affects your function or appearance, or if you wish to have it corrected, treatment options include orthodontic camouflage or jaw surgery once your growth is fully complete. An evaluation of your records is essential before making any decisions.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.