K07.1: Anomalies of jaw-cranial base relationship

The jaw consists of the upper jaw and lower jaw. The upper jaw bone is located above the mouth and forms the roof of the oral cavity. The lower jaw bone is located below and to the side of the mouth. In the center of the lower jaw is the chin. To the side, the lower jaw bone extends to below the ears. The mandibular joint is located there.

There are various reasons why the jaw bone position may be incorrect. The bones develop while in the womb, and keep developing until the body is fully grown. Changes to the genetic information, for example, can prevent the jaw bones from growing properly. The bones may then be smaller or larger than usual. Jaw bones may also be missing entirely from birth onwards. Breaks or operations on the jaw bones as a child can also cause the jaw bones to grow irregularly. The jaw bones may also have developed normally and only later changed their position. This can happen, for example, if you get a break in a jaw bone and the break heals in the wrong position.

If the jaw bones change position, the facial features may look irregular. For example, the lower jaw bone and, therefore, the chin may be too far forwards or backwards. The upper jaw bone can also be too far forwards or backwards. The upper jaw bone or the lower jaw bone can also be displaced to the side. The teeth may also not meet properly when biting.