Retrognathia: what to do when your lower jaw is set back further than the upper jaw

Having very advanced upper teeth is one of the most common dental complexes. Nicknamed “rabbit teeth”, this problem leads many people to consult a dentist.

In addition to the aesthetic inconvenience, this dental malposition is frequently accompanied by certain functional disorders such as speech difficulties and discomfort when chewing.

Today, many treatments exist to remedy this positioning disorder of the teeth and/or the jaw. Nutrident tells you more in this article.

What are treatments for retrognathia?

Rabbit teeth or front teeth: this is the very evocative name that defines a dental malposition, characterized by a shift between the upper teeth, which are projected forward, and the lower teeth.

In medical jargon, this pathology, which should not be confused with prognathia, is also called “mandibular retrognathia”. Therefore, it is more a matter of a positioning defect of the jaws, the lower one being rejected backwards.

In the treatment of front teeth or retrognathia, 2 situations are proposed (depending on the degree of severity of the shift, the age of the patient, the response to treatment…):

• Orthodontic treatment alone (in 1 or 2 steps);
• Orthodontic-surgical protocol (combination of orthodontic and surgical treatments)

Retrognathia in children

It is quite possible to treat the upper front teeth as early as childhood (between 6 and 9 years old). The treatment is particularly effective because at that age, the bones are still growing. In fact, the correction is much easier to achieve.

Lightweight, the treatment is characterized by the wearing of a small device during the night. The objective is to progressively push back these famous rabbit teeth in order to align them with the others.

By addressing the problem as early as possible, care is achieved in two stages

• Around 7-8 years: first phase of correction while respecting the growth of the child (about 1 year);
• Around 11-12 years old: second phase aiming at definitively aligning the teeth (between 18 and 24 months).

Mandibular retrognathia: orthodontic treatments in adults

In adults, several orthodontic methods are used to correct buck teeth syndrome.

Transparent dental trays

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just about braces and unsightly metal appliances. In recent years, new transparent aligners have appeared on the market, attracting thousands of patients with their discreet appearance.

Aestheticism and efficiency. Custom-made clear aligners put pressure on your advanced upper teeth to restore them to a more natural position. Orthodontic work is done without anyone noticing.

Among the brands that stand out, we particularly appreciate the German company Dr Smile which manages to combine quality and very competitive prices.

Very fashionable, the method is also very popular in France. The clinics are located in the main cities of the country.

Other orthodontic appliances

Dental braces, elastics, brackets or anchor screws are also devices to straighten rabbit teeth.

In case of insufficient results of the orthodontic treatment, a surgical treatment is considered.

Surgical treatment for retrognathia

In some situations, especially when the retrognathia is mainly of skeletal origin, maxillofacial surgery is necessary to reposition the jaws.

This surgery, called ” orthognathic”, is recommended from the end of adolescence (17 or 18 years old generally); period corresponding to the full growth of the jaw.

Surgical procedure and techniques

Jaw repositioning surgery for retrognathia is performed under general anesthesia. It is therefore completely painless.

The choice of the surgical technique to adopt depends on several parameters that only the surgeon is able to analyze.

Here are 2 examples of surgical procedures to correct a jaw positioning disorder:

• Maxillary advancement surgery: very schematically, it consists of cutting the maxillary bone (upper jaw bone), advancing it a few millimeters and then fixing it in this new position with a screw system. The bone will then heal naturally after a few weeks.

This procedure leaves no visible scars because the incisions are made inside the oral cavity.

• Lower jaw advancement surgery: in this case, the mandible (lower jaw bone) is cut in order to advance it and fix it in its new position. Here again, the bone will heal naturally.

Afterwards, another orthodontic treatment is performed in order to consolidate the results and to obtain an ideal alignment of the teeth.

Front teeth malposition : what causes them?

This dental malposition can have several causes, here are the main ones:

• Genetic: it is common for several members of the same family to have this dental or jaw positioning disorder.
• A deformation of the alveolar arch of the secondary jaw: a result of thumb sucking or pacifier sucking in children.

As you can see, this positioning disorder of the teeth or jaws has its origin at a very young age. Moreover, it is also proven that bad habits, such as pushing your teeth with your tongue, can also give rise to this dental malposition.

It is therefore essential to make a clinical diagnosis very early on in order to be able to treat it effectively and rapidly, before it worsens or certain complications appear.

Retrognathia: what are its repercussions?

Without early and effective management, retrognathia (lower jaw thrown back) can lead to a number of problems:

• Speech problems (hair on the tongue).
• Pain or cracking felt in the temporomandibular joints (jaw joints) when yawning or chewing.
• Increased risk of several dental and periodontal diseases
• Poor contact between the lower and upper teeth with premature wear.
• Risk of biting the palate
• Higher risk of dental trauma
• Dysharmony of the smile and face in advanced forms

If you detect signs of retrognathia in your child (or any other jaw development disorder), the Nutrident team recommends that you make an appointment with a dentist. The diagnosis that follows is the best way to prevent and stop the incorrect position of the teeth.

The following telephone information number can put you in touch with the right health care professional right away :

Conclusion

Retrognathia is a common dental malposition that begins to develop at an early age. It can be recognized by the presence of a more or less important shift between the upper and lower teeth, with generally the upper teeth projected forward.

Forward teeth are usually associated or related to a positioning disorder of the lower jaw called retrognathia or retromandibulia.

Treatment of front teeth and/or retrognathia involves orthodontics or maxillofacial surgery. The combination of the two interventions is often recommended.

The results of the treatment are, in most cases, very satisfactory, even spectacular. The harmony of the face and the smile are clearly improved. In addition, all functional disorders related to retrognathia are effectively corrected.

Prevention is essential in this type of dental malposition. Therefore, parents must be attentive to their children and watch out for bad habits that could harm their teeth or jaws.

If your child shows signs of retrognathia or tooth malposition, don't hesitate to take him or her to a specialist as soon as possible. Indeed, early management offers better chances of recovery without resorting to invasive treatments.

Don't forget that dental malposition increases the risk of pathologies (caries, tooth loosening, gingivitis, periodontitis…).

FAQ

How to treat retrognathia?

This condition is treated with braces and/or surgery. It depends on the degree of malposition of the teeth and jaws.

What are the front teeth called?

These are the incisors.

How to correct a malposition of the teeth without braces?

Braces are still needed. However, modern and transparent prostheses are now available, such as Dr Smile's invisible aligners.