Jaw pain that comes and goes is easy to brush off. But when it's paired with other symptoms, chronic jaw problems are often a sign that the jaws themselves are misaligned, something orthodontics or a mouthguard alone can't fix.
Chronic Jaw Pain That Doesn't Resolve
Ongoing pain in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles, especially pain that worsens with chewing or talking, is one of the most common reasons patients are referred for a jaw surgery evaluation.
Difficulty Eating or Swallowing
When the upper and lower jaws don't align properly, chewing can become inefficient or uncomfortable, and some patients notice they've started avoiding certain foods altogether because of how much effort eating has become.
Speech Problems Linked to Jaw Position
Jaw misalignment can affect how the tongue and teeth interact during speech, sometimes resulting in a lisp or other speech patterns that don't improve with speech therapy alone because the underlying structural cause hasn't been addressed.
Breathing Problems
A significantly recessed lower jaw can narrow the airway, contributing to breathing difficulty, especially during sleep. This is one of the more serious signs worth bringing up at a consultation rather than managing around indefinitely.
A Receding Chin or Protruding Jaw
Facial asymmetry involving the chin or jaw isn't just a cosmetic concern. It's often a visible marker of the same skeletal misalignment that's causing the functional problems above, which is part of why jaw surgery addresses both appearance and function at once.
An Open Bite That Won't Close Properly
When the back teeth meet but the front teeth don't, or vice versa, it's a sign the jaws aren't meeting the way they should. An open bite can accelerate uneven wear on the teeth that do make contact.
Why These Symptoms Point to Surgery Rather Than Other Treatment
Orthodontics can move teeth, but it can't reposition the jawbone itself. When the skeletal structure is the actual source of the problem, corrective jaw surgery is what actually resolves it, often used in combination with orthodontic treatment before and after surgery for the best long-term result.
What a Jaw Surgery Evaluation Involves
A consultation includes a review of your symptoms, a bite assessment, and imaging to determine exactly how the jaws are misaligned and what surgical approach would correct it.
Who Performs This Evaluation
Dr. Edward Halusic and the surgical team at New Smile Now have completed more than 1,000 major procedures, bringing that experience to bear on determining whether jaw surgery is the right next step for your specific symptoms.
Noticing These Signs in Yourself?
Schedule a consultation at New Smile Now's Monroeville or Greensburg, PA office to find out whether your symptoms point toward jaw surgery.