Uneven Jaw

If you have an uneven jaw, you may have some difficulty or pain associated with eating, sleeping, talking, or even breathing. In some cases, an uneven jaw can be treated with physical therapy, braces, retainers, but in severe cases, oral surgery may be necessary. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics want to make sure that our patients live a pain-free life. Dr. Wong specializes in orthodontic treatment and can assess the severity of an uneven jaw, and recommend a course of action.

Signs that you may have an uneven jaw:

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  Temple pain

  
  


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  Jaw joint pain

  
  


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  Jaw clicking

  
  


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  Tight jaw

  
  


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  Shoulder or back pain

  
  


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  Popping in the ear

  
  

 

Some causes of an uneven jaw include jaw trauma, birth defects or teeth misalignment. For temporary relief, ice or an over-the-counter pain reliever can be used. But if you are experiencing extreme pain in your jaw, it is recommended that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Though most cases of uneven jaw can be treated with dental appliances or exercises, surgery may be required.

 

 Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. To schedule a checkup or for more information, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.

 

 

Preventing and Treating Impacted Teeth

When it comes to impacted teeth, the earlier the intervention, the better. Dr. Cynthia Wong is a long-trusted Orland Park orthodontist who regularly assesses children for risk of dental impaction. What this means is that we’re able to determine whether anything will prevent their teeth from erupting in the right place, and if so, what can be done.

People may be familiar with the concept of dental impaction from unerupted wisdom teeth. These are often treated late in adolescence by extracting them. But the wisdom teeth are not the only ones which may be stuck, and extraction is not always necessary. The upper canine teeth often push through the side of the maxillary ridge or are unable to erupt at all. If the patient is a teenager, we may be able to use orthodontic brackets and specially-shaped wires called ballista springs to guide the canines downward.

The bones in children’s skulls have not yet fused together, which allows them to undergo orthodontic procedures unavailable to adults. A procedure like guided canine eruption is unlikely to be successful in a person who has finished adolescence, but a child may not need it if they undergo palate expansion. With a specialized orthodontic appliance, the upper jaw can be widened, making more room for the adult canines and other teeth. It may also be possible to make room for unerupted teeth using ordinary braces if the potential for overcrowding is recognized early enough.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.