TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects the maxilla and mandible. TMJ disorders (often simply called “TMJs” or “TMDs”) are a common cause of crooked jaw. They occur when there are problems either with the joint itself or the surrounding muscles or ligaments.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
- Jaw and tooth pain
- Headaches and earaches
- Shoulder and neck pain
- Inability to open your mouth wide
- Locking of the jaw when open or closed
- Popping or clicking when chewing or moving your mouth
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Facial swelling
- Misalignment of the upper and lower jaw
Trauma
Crooked jaw can also arise due to falls or accidents. For instance, healing can be uneven following a fracture of the mandible or maxilla, undermining their alignment.
Many cases of an uneven jaw can be attributed to conditions present at birth affecting the symmetry of the face.
- Canted teeth (slanted when compared to the nose and mouth)
- Chin pointed off to one side
- Other asymmetries in the lower side of the face.
Teeth Misalignment
Malocclusion—the misalignment and mismatch between the upper and lower sets of teeth—can also be a cause of crooked jaw. Many factors can cause crooked teeth, including:
- Inherited tooth crookedness
- Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and pacifier use (after the age of 3)
- Tooth loss, extra teeth, tooth impaction, or malformed teeth
- Poor-fitting dental appliances, braces, filings, retainers, and fillings
- Misalignment of jawbones following trauma or accident
- Tumor development in the jaw
Treatments
Treatments for crooked jaw include wearing dental appliances, certain surgeries, as well as management of the associated inflammation and pain.
Pain Management
Taking on the pain and inflammation associated with crooked jaw, especially when there’s a TMJ disorder, can be another important aspect of treating the condition. Some techniques can help you to treat symptoms of an uneven jaw naturally.
- Icing or heating: Applying an ice pack or warm towel to the temples or jaw for 10 minutes at a time can help with pain. This can be especially helpful when paired with jaw stretches shown to you by your provider. It can be done multiple times a day, as needed.
- Eating soft foods: Chewing can be difficult and cause pain. Soft foods, such as steamed or boiled vegetables, yogurt, fish, soups, and mashed potatoes, can be less painful to eat. Steer clear of crunchy or tough-to-chew foods.
- Over-the-counter medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Motrin and Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and aspirin, take on inflammation and pain. These are all available over the counter.
- Prescription medications: Your provider may prescribe other drugs in more severe or hard-to-manage cases. Narcotic analgesics can be prescribed for pain, with muscle relaxers helpful to ease tension from teeth grinding. NSAIDs come in stronger, prescribed doses. Anti-anxiety drugs and low doses of certain anti-depressants can also help.
- Careful movement: Be careful when yawning and avoid chewing excessively. Correcting head and neck posture can help, as can keeping your upper and lower teeth slightly separated as much as you can. Stretches and exercises as directed by your provider can also help with tension.
- Relaxation methods: Meditation, mindfulness work, and other methods of promoting relaxation can help ease muscle pain and tension in the jaw. Breathing-oriented activities such as yoga can also help, as can activities like gardening or simply taking a bath.
- Acupuncture: An alternative health modality with origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture involves using specialized needles to stimulate specific points in the body. Research has shown that this can be effective in taking on chronic pain problems.
Summary
Uneven jaw occurs when the upper jaw, or maxilla, does not properly line up with the lower jaw, or mandible. This can be due to a range of factors, including misalignment of the teeth, disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connecting these bones, or trauma, as well as birth defects.
Depending on severity, this condition causes pain in the temples and jaw, ear popping, and problems chewing or swallowing. It can also lead to tooth decay and loss and have a mental health impact.
Treatments for crooked jaw include wearing dental appliances, certain surgeries, as well as management of the associated inflammation and pain.
