Last Updated on September 16, 2022
The jaw is still a part of your body, and it can still grow, but the changes it makes are relatively minimal after the initial growth spurt in your teens. In fact, most people’s facial structure remains relatively the same until they are in their early 30s. This is because of the puberty and growth spurts you go through as a teen. In addition, breastfeeding can affect your jaw size.
Distraction osteogenesis is a surgical technique to lengthen the bone
The name “distraction osteogenesis” describes a surgical technique used to make a short bone longer. It was first used in 1903, and was perfected by Russian orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gabriel Ilizarov in the 1950s. The Chinese had used this technique to make themselves taller, but it is now used to correct facial and jaw bone structure defects.
Patients with severe deformities of the maxilla or jaw may benefit from distraction osteogenesis. They may have a deformed alveolus, which is the tooth-bearing area of the maxilla. Alternatively, patients with a more complex deformity may benefit from a frontofacial distraction, also known as monobloc distraction.
The risk of nerve injury is small and varies with the procedure, but the lower alveolar nerve and branches of the facial nerve are at risk. This risk can be minimized by careful preoperative planning and placing the osteotomy as far distally as possible. Virtual surgical planning and 3D imaging are also helpful in avoiding injury to these nerves. The risk of nerve injury is low, and only one percent of distraction osteogenesis procedures result in a severe complication.
This surgery takes about two months to complete. Initial healing occurs in the doctor’s office. The rest of the healing process occurs at home. The doctor will have you control a device that pulls apart the bone segments. During this time, new blood vessels and cells that make collagen migrate to the bony gap and begin creating new bone. In the following months, the bones fuse together and the resulting structure is stable.
Breastfeeding affects jaw growth
Babies who are breastfed develop their jawbones and facial muscles differently from babies who are bottle fed. Breastfeeding requires the mandible to move forward to grasp the breast, which stimulates mandibular growth. It also establishes proper closed mouth breathing habits and encourages the development of nasal airways. It is important to breastfeed your baby upright, as lying down may affect the development of your baby’s bottom jaw. The forward-facing posture also affects the development of your baby’s tongue. It also affects the jaw growth because the milk flows back into the mouth, where it impacts the baby’s swallowing action.
Various studies have shown that breastfeeding positively affects jaw growth. Researchers have even linked breastfeeding with better dental health. Interestingly, babies breastfed by their mothers’ mothers had significantly fewer problems with the alignment of their teeth than their peers who were bottle fed. Furthermore, they had less trouble with overcrowding of the mouth. Although more research is needed, it is still possible that breastfeeding may affect jaw growth. If so, it might be beneficial to breastfeed exclusively for six months or longer.
While formula and breastfed babies are more likely to develop overcrowding and crowded teeth, they can also have jaw rotation issues. Breast feeding can help prevent these problems and can also prevent the need for orthodontic treatments later on. Besides that, breast feeding can improve a child’s oral health by preventing certain dental conditions like TMJ and sleep apnea. And it also promotes the growth of their jaw and prevents the occurrence of conditions like tongue ties.
Environment
In the prehistoric period, our jaws were very roomy and we rarely had any problems, including malocclusion, noneruption of third molars, or crowding of the tongue. In the modern age, our jaws have become progressively smaller, most likely because of changes in our environment, such as the increased use of motor vehicles, industrialization, and smoking. While the precise causes of this epidemic are not known, it is believed to be connected to environmental factors like smoking and fire.
A change in environment may also affect our swallowing behavior. Many individuals have trouble maintaining negative pressure after swallowing, a function that is not related to chewing. Only a closed compartment, with the tongue in the correct position, can maintain negative pressure after swallowing. The rear of the tongue is parasympathetically innervated. The use of passive light suction may help maintain a proper oral posture. This can be helpful to those with jaw problems.
While genetics may play a role in this problem, the evidence for this is not strong. Since the jaw is a common part of our overall body, genetics may not play a role in influencing when jaws stop growing. However, if you are overweight or obese, your jaw may not grow as fast as it used to. Similarly, a jaw problem could be a side effect of a bad diet or a lack of exercise.
Despite the strong links between genetics and jaw size, many studies have suggested that the environment has a profound influence on when a jaw stops growing. Genetics play only a small role, but enhancing early natural jaw development results in a child with a balanced facial profile compared to their parents who had traditional retractive orthodontics. In addition, a child with a balanced facial profile compared favorably to their parents treated with traditional retractive orthodontics.
Genetics
The epidemic of deformed jaws may not be entirely genetic, but the resulting changes in the jawbone growth are linked to our lifestyles. The study marshals evidence about the epidemic and aims to prevent it. Parents can encourage proper jawbone, mouth, and facial development, which could prevent future health burdens and chronic conditions. According to Paul Ehrlich, the Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford University, the results of the study should be used to develop treatment strategies.
Early genetic factors, such as cranial trauma during birth, and exclusive breastfeeding, play a role in jaw development. During the first half of a child’s growth, genetics and environmental factors play a small role in this process. The child treated with early natural jaw development compares favorably to his or her parents who had undergone traditional retractive orthodontics. In addition, the child exhibited a balanced facial profile compared to the parents.
Facial development is partly determined by the position of the tongue. Ideally, the tongue rests against the upper palate and forces the upper jaw to grow forward. Mouth breathing, open-mouth posture, and tongue tie can prevent proper growth of the midface and jaw joint. The midface can narrow and elongate due to these problems. In order to diagnose this problem, a computerized Bolton analysis is performed on a sagittal photograph of the mouth and face.
In older children, permanent teeth replace baby teeth. Even though jawbones grow, their position is still affected by teeth grinding and tooth loss. People with protruding upper incisors, for example, are more susceptible to injury and misalignment, which can result in a painful jaw or a painful clicking sound. If the jaw misalignment continues to develop, the jaw may be unable to open widely.
Lifestyle
A recent study suggests that lifestyle can influence your jaw size. The shrinking of your jaw may not be due to genetics, but it could be a result of lifestyle habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or poor nutrition. Researchers from Stanford University also point out that jaw problems are similar to other lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and some types of cancer. While this finding has some limitations, it is still a fascinating study.
About The Author
Fernánda Esteban is a food fanatic. She can't go more than a few hours without eating, and she loves trying new foods from all over the world. Her friends know that they can always count on her for a good conversation, and she's an animal lover who will never turn down an opportunity to pet a dog or cat. Fernánda also enjoys learning about random facts, and she's a social media practitioner who loves to share what she knows with others.