Question
It sounds like you may have some temperomandibular joint disorders, and it is best to get it checked by a dentist.
Jaws are meant to open straight down (like a door hinge) and not diagonally, unless you have jaws that are not symmetrical.
The clicking sound may be from your jaw joints, and some people do experience this at certain stages in their life.
If your jawbone is not symmetrical and you have crooked teeth, then you will need to see an orthodontist. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Yes I agree with Dr Sylvia, you may have some form of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which describes problems associated with the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – the joint that connects the jaw to the base of the skull.
Many people have cracking or clicking noises coming from their joints, but this may not be TMD, especially if there is no pain or other symptoms associated with it. You may wish to see your dentist or an oral maxillofacial surgeon to have it checked out.
Grinding (also known as bruxism) may be associated with TMD. A custom made night guard can protect your teeth from the effects of bruxism, and it has been shown to have positive effects on TMD. Your dentist will be able to fabricate one for you after a proper assessment.
One point to note – if you are considering braces treatment to straighten your teeth, I would suggest holding off making the night guard as it would not fit anymore once the teeth have moved during orthodontic treatment. You may wish to visit an orthodontist for a consultation first.
I fully agree with Dr Lee that chewing on one side will do little to help with the problem. In my experience as an aesthetic physician, it is as Dr Lee said, most of us have mild asymmetries, and almost every case of asymmetry has a mixture of BOTH bony and muscular elements. If the asymmetry is bothering you, I would suggest some botox and fillers first to correct it as a temporary measure. I would refer to my dental or orthodontic colleagues to correct teeth alignment and jaw surgery for better functional outcomes and long-lasting results.
Thank you for your question. Oral fibromas are benign growths (consisting of scar tissue) in the mouth that usually appear following repeated trauma (usually from rubbing of your teeth or dentures/braces against the inner lining of your mouth or from accidental lip biting). The inner cheek area (buccal mucosa) would be most common.
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