What is facial asymmetry and how is it corrected?

Facial Asymmetry: what is and how is it corrected?

When we talk about occlusion problems, it is important to know that there are different types: overbite, class II, class III…

In addition, not all people present the same way, since the degree of malocclusion will make a case more mild or severe.

Although there are certain problems that occur more frequently than others in society, in this article we want to talk about facial asymmetry.

Occasionally, the presence of a type of malocclusion can cause the face to lose its harmony and therefore be asymmetrical.

However, if the patient has not had a correct development on both sides of the face, this causes bite problems and serious dental wear.

 

Facial Asymmetry: what is and how is it corrected?
What is facial asymmetry?
Facial asymmetry is identified when the midlines and/or dental arches deviate for dental or skeletal reasons.

Regardless of the cause or type, facial asymmetry occurs when the mandible or maxilla has not developed properly on the sides of the face.

As a result, the face has a lack of harmony or symmetry that affects functional levels.

In addition, as the facial structure of people is sometimes very noticeably damaged, it often greatly diminishes their aesthetics and self-esteem.

When determining what type of malocclusion we are dealing with, the specialist distinguishes between three planes: vertical, transversal and anteroposterior.

Mandibular asymmetry can occur in any of these three planes.

Facial asymmetry treatment without surgery
Enlarge image
FACIAL ASYMMETRY
How are malocclusions classified?
Depending on where the bite problems occur – in which of the three planes we mentioned in the previous point – we can categorize malocclusions.

But first, let’s explain what an optimal occlusion, known as Class I, means.

The correct bite means that the pieces of both arches fit together properly and that the size of the jaw and maxilla are harmonious.

Identifying Class I is quite simple: the orthodontic specialist makes sure that, with the mouth closed, the upper canine is 3 to 4 millimeters behind the lower one.

Malocclusions in the vertical plane
Open bite

A person has an open bite when several anterior teeth -usually the upper and lower incisors and canines- do not contact each other.

These patients are not able to close the dentition, so they have a visible space between the teeth.

Overbite

An overbite is characterized by the upper teeth covering more than one third of the lower teeth vertically.

Facial asymmetry causes occlusion problems for the patient, who cannot bite normally, as well as esthetic complications.

Malocclusions in the transverse plane
Crossbite

Also called inverted bite, it occurs when the pieces of the upper arch are inside the lower arch.

That is to say, there is an inadequate relationship between the teeth and/or the maxillary and mandibular bones.

Scissor bite

In a scissor bite, although the upper teeth are outside the lower teeth, the maxilla is much larger than the mandible.

Therefore, the cusps -surfaces- of the teeth do not contact.

This malocclusion is much less common than crossbite.

Pediatric orthodontics
During the growing age it is possible to guide the correct development of the bones, so it is easier to solve any malocclusion related to facial asymmetry.

Malocclusions in the anteroposterior plane
Class II

A person has class II or retrognathia when the upper arch is more advanced than the lower arch.

Therefore, the distance between the upper teeth and the lower teeth is more than 1 or 2 millimeters.

Class III

In class III or prognathism, the lower arch is advanced with respect to the upper arch due to skeletal or dental causes, thus producing an inverted protrusion.

In this type of bite, the lower tusk is at least 3 millimeters in front of the upper one.

Treatments to correct facial asymmetry
The most advisable thing to do if a person has any type of malocclusion, whatever it may be, is to correct it during childhood.

Normally until the age of 11 or 12, depending on the child, the child’s bone development is not yet completely complete, so it is possible to guide their growth.

Thus, through interceptive orthodontics, the orthodontist can plan a treatment focused on modifying the size and position of both the maxilla and the mandible.

When this process is performed during childhood, the treatment is not only simpler, but also allows for the correction of possible facial asymmetry without surgery.

These dental appliances are subsequently combined with the placement of fixed orthodontics, usually metal brackets.

Even so, if requested, it is possible to put in children other more discreet dental appliances, such as sapphire brackets.

Correcting facial asymmetry
Enlarge image
TREATMENT OF FACIAL ASYMMETRY
Facial asymmetry in adults
Facial asymmetry in adults has a more complex solution and a longer treatment that requires surgery in most cases.

Once the development of the facial bones has already finished, it is not possible to change them through an orthodontic system.

Therefore, it requires the action of a maxillofacial surgeon who can intervene directly on the patient’s bone structure.

However, this intervention, which is called orthognathic surgery, must always be combined with the use of orthodontics.

This is because, once the bones are harmonious, it is necessary to put the teeth in place to avoid problems of misalignment and crowding.

Get to know the opinion and experience of our patients
A large number of people have already corrected their facial asymmetry problems thanks to Ferrus & Bratos.

The specialty and attention of our team of orthodontists make the difference and, for this reason, our patients do not hesitate to recommend us.

In the following gallery, you can see the opinion of people who have put themselves in our hands and can now smile like never before.

See more
See cases
DrAW Clinic patient

 

WE SOLVE YOUR FACIAL ASYMMETRY

 

Payment facilities in DrAW Dental

At DrAW Dental Clinic we offer our patients very flexible and attractive payment conditions:

• Financing of 100% of the treatment ask how
• Discounts for early payment

If you would like more information on how to solve facial asymmetry, we recommend that you contact us to receive an assessment and detailed explanation from our team of orthodontists.

Call us at +1 619 372 5409 🇺🇸 +52 664 590 8321 🇲🇽 , or use the contact form on our website, and ask for your first free appointment.

We will give you a complete diagnosis and an estimate without obligation.

 

 

You will be interested in » Correcting a class II malocclusion with orthodontics, is it possible?

 

Read Our Invisalign Guide

 

At DrAW Dental Clinic we are guided by editorial guidelines that ensure the accuracy of all the information we publish. If you would like to know more about how we ensure that our content is up-to-date and properly supported, we encourage you to read our editorial commitment.

 

 

Did you find this a 5 star article?
Leave us your rating:

(No Ratings Yet)

Cargando…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Posts