The doctor named the methods of correcting the sloping chin

A slanted or small chin (retrognathia) is a visual and/or functional displacement of the chin back relative to the profile line of the face. The prevalence of retrognathia is growing and has now acquired the character of a pandemic. On July 22, Zarema Omarova, a dermatologist, cosmetologist, and co-owner of Dr. Omarov's clinic network, told Izvestia about the reasons for the popularity of this problem.

"There may be several reasons for this. Some people have a genetic predisposition to this chin shape. In others, retrognathia develops in childhood due to adenoids or frequent viral diseases. In these cases, breathing improves through the mouth, as breathing through the nose becomes more difficult," the doctor explained.

According to her, retrognathia forms the so-called adenoid type of face with an open bite and underdevelopment of the lower jaw. But the biggest contribution to the increase in the prevalence of retrognathia is made by artificial feeding, especially if the nipple does not have a physiological shape, and a lack of solid food in the diet. Breastfeeding in general is a natural "simulator" for the jaws, forming the correct shape of the upper palate, to the shape of which the lower jaw then adjusts.

"Parents of young children should know that the development of the lower jaw is a functional process that requires proper physical activity from childhood. And this is not only a harmonious appearance, but also the health of the child," Omarova warned.

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Aesthetically favorable is a face that has a harmonious symmetry between the three height zones — the forehead, the middle and the lower third. In adulthood, patients with retrognathia face a number of aesthetic problems related to facial imbalance. In addition to the lack of full-face chin height, there is often a lack of forward chin protrusion. Due to the fact that the chin is displaced, the nose may appear protruding and large, even if it itself is of normal size and shape. A second chin appears, the clarity of the oval of the face is disrupted, because the soft tissues lack the support on which they will hold, and the necessary physical and optical tension does not arise.

The doctor clarified that restoring the correct position of the lower jaw and forming the correct chin size will require the work of an interdisciplinary team of doctors.

Treatment begins with a condylography, which is a large—scale study to determine the therapeutic position of the lower jaw. That is, the optimal position in which all the links will function correctly.

Next, a dental treatment complex is connected in order to put the lower jaw in the correct position. This can be either orthodontic treatment with braces and aligners, or special splints with which the jaw is pushed forward, or orthopedic treatment with veneers and crowns in order to gradually pull the jaw forward with the help of certain contacts on the teeth. In the latter case, temporary crowns are first made, and after the final adaptation of the muscles and joints, they are replaced with permanent ones made of ceramic or zirconium dioxide, creating a new closure of the teeth in the therapeutic position of the lower jaw.

However, if the problem is severe, it is necessary to additionally resort to surgical methods of treatment — orthognathic surgery.

Additionally, contouring is usually connected. With the help of fillers based on hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite, the missing volumes are restored and the shape of the chin is adjusted.

"Almost all patients with retrognathia have a characteristic feature: when the mouth is closed, an orange peel effect appears on the skin of the chin. This is a compensatory muscle activity when there is not enough chin volume. In this case, botulinum therapy is used to relax tense muscles and naturally stretch the chin," the specialist explained.

She noted that the earlier the treatment of retrognathia begins, the easier and more effective the correction will be. Proper jaw formation needs to be taken care of from childhood. But even adult patients with this problem can be helped, because the chin forms the entire appearance of the face, and the correct position of the lower jaw, in addition, affects posture, breathing, bite, and even voice.

Earlier, on May 31, Vyacheslav Minko, a dental surgeon at Dr.Minko Dental Clinic, dispelled myths about the benefits and harms of dental products. There are foods that are good for teeth (vegetables, nuts, dairy products) and that harm them (sweets, pastries, carbonated drinks), however, according to the expert, it is important to take into account some nuances.