What Parents Often Miss About Jaw Irregularities in Kids
One important thing that parents often miss is that kids who have jaw problems early on often show signs of headaches, earaches, or changes in behavior instead of direct jaw pain. A lot of parents don’t realize that chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), mouth breathing, or facial pain are signs of a developing TMJ (jaw joint) disorder, not just normal growth. The TMJ Association and the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) both recognize early orthodontic evaluation as key to preventing long-term joint damage — not just normal growth. At Weeks Orthodontics — a member practice of the American Association of Orthodontists — Dr. Travis A. Weeks and Dr. Shadiya Hasan evaluate jaw development as part of every new patient exam, because catching irregularities early can dramatically simplify treatment and protect your child’s long-term health.
What Are Jaw Irregularities?
Jaw irregularities refer to abnormalities in the size, position, or growth pattern of the upper jaw (maxilla) or lower jaw (mandible). These conditions affect not just the teeth, but facial structure, breathing, speech, and chewing function. The American Association of Orthodontists classifies jaw discrepancies as skeletal malocclusions — meaning the bite problem originates in the bone, not just the teeth.
Common Jaw Irregularities We Treat
- Skeletal Class II — the upper jaw is too far forward, or the lower jaw is underdeveloped, causing a significant overbite
- Skeletal Class III — the lower jaw is too far forward or the upper jaw is underdeveloped, causing an underbite
- Crossbite (skeletal) — the upper jaw is too narrow, causing one or both sides of the lower teeth to bite outside the upper teeth
- Asymmetry — uneven jaw growth creates a lopsided facial appearance
- Open bite (skeletal) — vertical jaw growth problems create a gap between upper and lower front teeth
The Window of Opportunity: Why Early Evaluation Matters
At both our Winter Springs and Oviedo locations, Dr. Weeks and Dr. Hasan see children for jaw evaluations every week. In children and adolescents, the jaw is still growing — which means orthodontists have tools that simply don’t work in adults. Growth modification appliances (like palatal expanders, facemasks, and functional appliances) can redirect jaw growth during the developmental window, often preventing the need for surgery later.
Research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) shows that early skeletal intervention (Phase 1 treatment) between ages 7–10 a lot reduces treatment complexity and duration in adolescence. The AAO recommends every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 — not necessarily to start treatment, but to identify whether a jaw irregularity needs monitoring or early intervention.
Warning Signs in Children Parents Should Know
Because jaw problems in children often show up as non-dental symptoms, many cases go undiagnosed until they’re harder to treat. Watch for these signs:
- Chronic headaches or earaches — often linked to bite strain and TMJ stress
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) — especially at night; a sign the bite doesn’t fit correctly
- Mouth breathing — often associated with a narrow upper jaw that restricts the airway
- Difficulty chewing or preferring soft foods
- Facial asymmetry — one side of the jaw looking different from the other
- Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing — jaw position directly affects the airway
- Speech difficulties, especially with “s,” “th,” and “sh” sounds
Guiding Facial Growth: Our Approach
When a jaw irregularity is identified early, we have several growth-guidance tools available:
Palatal Expander
A palatal expander widens the upper jaw gradually over several months. It’s most effective in children ages 7–12 before the palatal suture fuses. Expanding the upper arch creates room for teeth, corrects posterior crossbites, and improves nasal breathing.
Functional Appliances
Functional appliances like the Herbst appliance, Twin Block, or Forsus™ (3M™ Orthodontics) are used are used to guide lower jaw growth forward in Class II (overbite) cases. Used during the growth spurt (usually ages 9–13), they can a lot reduce skeletal discrepancy before braces are placed.
Phase 1 + Phase 2 Treatment
For more complex cases, we use a two-phase approach. Phase 1 (ages 7–10) addresses the jaw irregularity with growth modification. Phase 2 (after most permanent teeth erupt) uses braces (3M™ Unitek™, Ormco™, or Damon™) or Invisalign® (Align Technology) to finalize tooth alignment and bite correction.
Is Your Child Showing Signs of a Jaw Problem?
Parents from Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, and Chuluota bring their children to us for these exact concerns. Don’t wait for a visible bite problem to appear. If your child grinds their teeth, mouth-breathes, complains of headaches or earaches, or you’ve noticed facial asymmetry, it’s worth having them evaluated. Early detection changes outcomes dramatically. Schedule a free evaluation at Weeks Orthodontics in Winter Springs or Oviedo. Call (407) 327-7737.
