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Dentistry/Jaw Alignement

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Question
My Jaw have shifted.This could have been after my fall from the 1st floor at the age of 5-6. Now i am 32 and find my lower Jaw to have shifted to the right. Can this be rectified. If so, what are the options and expected consequences.

Answer
The shift in the jaw may be the result of asymmetric jaw growth, perhaps as a result of the trauma you mentioned.  If your jaw has always been shifted then this is likely to be the problem.  On the other hand, if the shift is something that you've just recently noticed then the cause may be muscular.  This can be determined by proper examination and a few jaw x-rays done by an orthodontist.
If the problem is skeletal in nature it may be corrected by a combination of jaw surgery and braces.  If it is muscular in nature then the exact problem must be identified so that a treatment plan can be determined.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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