In our previous article posts on corrective oral surgery in Chicago Loop, we examined apertognathia (‘open bite') and prognathism (‘under bite') as the two malocclusions patients can present with. In this, the third article installment of a five-part series, we shall be looking at retrognathism, or ‘over bite', as well as the options patients face for corrective oral jawsurgery in Chicago Loop.
Oral Surgery in Chicago Loop: What is Retrognathism?
Dictionary definition: "Retrognathism is a type of malocclusion which refers to an abnormal posterior positioning of the maxilla or mandible, particularly the mandible, relative to the facial skeleton and soft tissues."
In other words, retrognathism is characterized by an abnormal positioning of the lower jaw (mandible) relative to the upper jaw (maxilla) that appears as an under bite. The resultant facial disharmony translates to a visually weak chin and upper protruding teeth. This type of malocclusion can cause premature and aggressive wear-and-tear of the teeth, speech impediments, sleep apnea, snoring, difficulty eating and swallowing as well as chronic jaw pain and migraines emanating from the stressed temporomandibular joint. Thankfully, jaw surgery and oral surgery in Chicago Loop can be used to correct the alignment of the mandible relative to the maxilla and the rest of the facial skeleton, thus restoring a natural bite.