How do I fix a slanted jaw? (photo)

Doctor's Answer

Hi Jayden

Please take note that the centre of your lower jaw is shifted slightly to the right. This is caused by a cross-bite that has developed on the RHS. Usually the upper teeth will be covering the outer sides of the lower teeth, but in your case, the upper teeth are 'trapped' on the wrong side of the lower teeth, 'dragging' the whole lower jaw to the right.

You might find yourself chewing more on the right all this while and this has caused the right upper jaw bone to be higher and the lower left jaw bone to be more elongated.

Do you notice any clicking of your right jaw joint? Do you notice when you stand straight, your left arm is more forward than your right, meaning your torso is rotated slightly clockwise. Do you notice your shoulder is higher on the right too?

Find your neutral bite position by putting the tip of your tongue up against the roof of the mouth behind the upper front teeth touching the palate only. More sophisticated equipment can be used to pin point that central position of your lower jaw. This will be followed by orthodontics and I prefer to use Invisalign to set the teeth to match that neutral position.

However, to effectively develop the bone to rebalance, you have to consider tongue and lips exercises with proper swallowing and most importantly breathing exercises.

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox