When you like the reflection you see in the mirror, it is easier to feel self-confidence and go for what you want in life. Whether your goal is making it onto the dance team, getting into a great college, landing a plum job, meeting your soulmate, or something else, it really helps to feel confident in your smile and your appearance!

As orthodontic technology continues to advance, more people of all ages are seeking treatment to achieve their appearance goals. Sometimes this is achieving a straight, white smile or alleviating jaw pain. At other times this is correcting a weak chin or adjusting the jaw’s alignment.

There are as many reasons to seek orthodontic care as there are patients. Today’s orthodontic science offers the chance to precisely tailor the treatment approach to the unique needs of each patient.

What Causes a Weak Chin?

The best way to determine what is causing the appearance of a weak chin in childhood, the teen years or in adulthood is to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist you trust. Through taking a medical history (including past oral health care and procedures,) doing an oral exam, taking X-rays and examining the teeth and jaw growth, it is possible to determine the factors that have resulted in the appearance of a weak chin.

If the causes are orthodontic – that is, related to misalignment of teeth or jaw or unbalanced upper and lower jaw growth, a course of treatment is recommended. However, it is important to note that it isn’t always possible to correct the appearance of a weak or recessed chin through orthodontic care alone. Each patient is unique. Typically, the younger the issue is caught and addressed, the less likely it is that other measures, such as cosmetic or plastic surgery, may be required to fully correct a weak chin.

For some adult patients, it may take a combination approach, such as orthodontic care through braces or aligners plus orthognathic (jaw) surgery or cosmetic surgery on the jaw area, to fully achieve the patient’s profile appearance and oral health goals.

What Steps Should I Take to Fix a Weak Chin?

The best way to begin to fix a weak chin is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nease or Dr. Higginbotham. During your initial one-on-one consultation, your questions will be answered and the doctors will give you a full assessment of what is causing your weak chin and options to correct it.

You will also be able to find out about the new and different types of hardware that are incredibly discreet – nearly invisible – and choose the system that will work best for your needs and budget.

Will Braces Fix a Weak Chin?

This is not a question with a straight yes or no answer. Rather, it depends on the underlying cause of the patient’s weak or recessed chin. This is one reason why the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up at age seven. In cases where insufficient jaw growth is contributing to the position of the chin, it is often possible to begin guiding the jaw’s growth and development in a more healthy direction.

One example is when the upper and lower jaws have not grown proportionally to one another. In this type of situation, when the lower jaw’s growth has not matched that of the upper jaw, this can give the appearance of what plastic and cosmetic surgeons often call a “weak chin” or a “recessed chin.”

Identifying these issues early in life allows the orthodontist to recommend braces and other corrective measures as needed to ensure proportionate and healthy jaw growth for a balanced profile and smile.

What Orthodontic Options Treat a Weak Chin?

If the trouble is caught early enough, it is often possible to correct jaw growth and alignment and avoid development of a weak chin through orthodontic care alone.

There are a variety of methods recommended. These are based on each patient’s individual issues and needs. The Invisalign system uses clear, removable aligners rather than traditional hardware to straighten and align teeth. The Damon System uses a simpler, streamlined hardware system similar to traditional hardware that can provide quick results.  Oftentimes, mandibular advancement appliances, such as the Herbst appliance, can also assist lower jaw growth and development to help correct a weak chin.

Hardware today is a far cry from their clunky, uncomfortable ancestors. They are lightweight, compact and come in a variety of styles and colors, including ceramic or clear systems.

What Else Can Fix a Weak Chin?

Another approach that can fix a weak chin is called orthognathic surgery. The word “orthognathic” literally translates to mean “straight jaw” (ortho means straight and gnathos means jaw). Dr. Nease and Dr. Higginbotham are both skilled orthodontists who are able to treat the appearance of a weak chin by properly treatment planning your orthodontic problems.

Jaw surgery can correct imbalances in growth between the upper and lower jaws (such as  jaw asymmetry, congenital birth defects related to the teeth and jaws, and other issues) that straightforward orthodontic care may not be able to fully correct.

It is amazing how effective today’s sophisticated orthognathic surgery procedures are in correcting long-standing oral health issues, including jaw pain, trouble chewing, difficulty talking, and even interrupted sleep. Outcomes can include: 1)a more well-defined, prominent chin, 2)better meeting of jaws, teeth and lips, 3)a more pleasing smile and profile appearance, 4) and much greater overall comfort.

Here’s the Kicker

Dr. Eric Nease and Dr. Phil Higginbotham are the founders of Nease & Higginbotham Orthodontics. Together, they treat patients of all ages and sometimes whole families. They offer cutting-edge orthodontic treatment to meet each patient’s individual oral health needs. Drs. Nease and Higginbotham maintain three convenient office locations.  Gaffney, Duncan and Spartanburg locations make it convenient to get top quality orthodontic care.

Schedule your consultation and walk away with a smile!

Gaffney Office
424 Hyatt Street, Suite E
Gaffney, SC 29341
Phone: (864) 579-7700

Will braces fix my weak chin? {If not, what will?}