The Importance Of Jaw Alignment

Every person is unique, and the shape of our teeth along with the way they line up are part of this uniqueness. Our teeth are best off when they line up perfectly – molars to molars, incisors to incisors, with every tooth touching its opposite number when you clench your jaw – but because of that uniqueness factor, not everyone can manage this optimal alignment.

When your jaw sticks out too far forward, it’s called an underbite, and if it doesn’t stick out far enough, it’s an overbite. It’s simple enough to tell if you have either condition, since you only have to clench your teeth and see which way your jaw has to move to line up properly. On the other hand, you’ll need a professional’s advice to find out what (if anything) needs to be done. You should also be prepared to check more than once in your lifetime, because your jaw will tend to move around as time passes and as you chew thousands of meals over your lifetime.

In cases where your jaw needs to change its position, the solution is usually quite simple: your orthodontist will give you a special retainer to wear when you go to sleep, and by attaching rubber bands of various strengths to studs along the retainer, you will slowly force your jaw into a proper orientation over time. Extreme cases may demand surgery to correct the problem, but this is rarely necessary.

Proper jaw orientation affects not only the appearance of your face, but also your ability to chew and eat things properly. Unfortunately, though, it’s not something that comes naturally to everyone, and so if you think it may be a problem affecting you, you should make sure you consult with a dentist and an orthodontist to make sure that your situation gets properly addressed.