Facial Asymmetry: Causes and Advanced Treatments

Facial asymmetry, or an unbalanced face, is a fairly common condition today, with varying degrees of severity from mild to severe. However, not everyone can recognize if their face is asymmetrical or understand the underlying causes. This can make it difficult to find the appropriate treatment. In the article below, Elite Dental will help you understand what facial asymmetry is and how to effectively correct it for a more balanced and harmonious appearance.

1. What is Facial Asymmetry? How to Identify It

Facial asymmetry is a condition where the proportions of the face are not balanced or symmetrical across the central axis of the nose. Some signs to recognize this condition include:

1.1. One Side of the Face Is Higher Than the Other

The face may be shifted to the left or right, causing the lips, chin, and cheeks to be misaligned on one side. This creates an imbalance between the two sides of the face, resulting in one side appearing higher than the other.

1.2. Asymmetrical Jawbone

The jawbone can move flexibly forward, backward, and from side to side. Therefore, when the jawbone is misaligned, you will not only notice changes in your facial structure but also experience issues with chewing function.

1.3. Crooked Lips When Smiling

When smiling, the lips may pull to one side, creating an asymmetrical appearance that can make a person feel self-conscious about their smile.

In general, mild facial asymmetry is often difficult to notice because the difference is not significant. In severe cases, the asymmetry is easily visible.

2. Causes of Facial Asymmetry

Facial asymmetry can be caused by various factors, including lifestyle habits, genetics, and medical conditions. Specifically:

2.1. Lifestyle Habits Leading to Facial Asymmetry

Habits such as chewing on only one side, sleeping predominantly on one side, or frequently resting your chin on your hand for long periods can put excessive pressure on one side of the face, leading to muscle imbalance. This causes the face to become asymmetrical towards the side that bears more impact.

2.2. Asymmetrical Jaw Development That Was Not Corrected Early

If the jaw develops improperly, it can cause a misaligned bite from a young age. If not addressed early, this can lead to asymmetrical development of the jawbone over time, resulting in facial asymmetry.

2.3. Facial Asymmetry Due to Trauma

Accidents can impact the jawbone, causing it to fracture or shift. In severe cases, surgeons may need to remove parts of the bone or muscle, which can leave behind long-term effects on the face, particularly asymmetry.

2.4. Due to Medical Conditions

Certain serious medical conditions like nerve palsy, stroke, or cerebrovascular accidents can affect the facial nerves, causing facial muscles to contract and pull to one side. This is more common in older adults.

2.5. Due to Genetics

Facial asymmetry can also be hereditary, although this is quite rare. If detected early, treatment methods can be applied to achieve optimal results.

3. What Are the Effects of Facial Asymmetry?

An asymmetrical face, where one side appears larger than the other, can lead to several issues:

3.1. Facial Aesthetics

An asymmetrical face can lack overall balance and harmony. This can make individuals feel self-conscious and hesitant in social interactions and can affect their work and personal life.

3.2. Increased Tooth Wear

When the face is asymmetrical, the jaw joint structure is no longer aligned correctly. Over time, this causes the bite to not function properly, leading to faster tooth wear.

3.3. Difficulty Chewing

Facial asymmetry makes chewing food difficult, especially hard or cold items. Furthermore, the chewing process may not be as quick or thorough as normal.

3.4. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder

Prolonged facial asymmetry can cause pain in the joint on one or both sides of the jaw (the temporomandibular joint), especially when chewing, opening the mouth wide, or smiling. This can affect eating habits and digestive function (as pain prevents food from being chewed thoroughly).

4. Effective Methods to Correct Facial Asymmetry Today

In general, congenital jaw asymmetry is quite rare. Most cases of facial asymmetry are due to a misaligned bite or crooked teeth from childhood, which then develop into jawbone asymmetry. This asymmetry has a high risk of causing TMJ pain, and the older one gets, the more difficult the treatment becomes, making it impossible to fully restore symmetry. Therefore, treatment should be sought as early as possible.

Here are some methods to correct facial asymmetry that you can consider:

4.1. Change Eating and Lifestyle Habits

You should start by practicing chewing evenly on both sides of your jaw to maintain bite balance. When chewing, try to use both sides equally or chew on the non-dominant side just 1-2 times less than the dominant side. Additionally, you should change habits like avoiding hard foods, sleeping on one side, and resting your chin on your hand.

However, please note that this method is only effective for mild cases of asymmetry caused by lifestyle habits.

4.2. Wear a Facial Contouring Belt

This is a method to improve mild facial asymmetry. It has a positive impact on facial muscles and jaw structure, helping the face regain its balance. When using this method, you should choose a facial contouring belt from a reputable brand to ensure effective and safe treatment.

4.3. Apply the Mewing Technique

This is a popular method used to change the structure of the jawbone. To perform this technique, follow these steps: Gently close your lips; move your lower jaw back so it is behind the upper jaw, ensuring a small space is maintained between the two jaws; place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, making sure it rests loosely behind the gums of your front teeth (be careful not to let your tongue touch your upper front teeth).

Note: When applying the mewing technique, it’s crucial to perform the actions correctly and under the thorough guidance of a doctor or specialist. Otherwise, it could negatively affect your face and potentially worsen the asymmetry.

4.4. Orthodontics to Adjust the Bite and Balance the Face

In cases where a misaligned bite causes facial asymmetry, braces are recommended. Orthodontics helps to align the teeth, correct the bite, and notably improve facial asymmetry by adjusting the jawbone structure.

To ensure effectiveness and safety during orthodontic treatment, you should choose a reputable dental clinic with deep expertise in orthodontics.

With over 12 years of experience in the dental field, Elite Dental is confident in being a reliable orthodontic center that has helped many clients correct facial asymmetry, regaining a confident smile and a naturally harmonious face.

For instance, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat (22, HCMC) was extremely satisfied with his orthodontic journey, which concluded with an impressive change in his appearance. His asymmetrical face and slightly misaligned lower teeth were effectively corrected by the treatment. This gave Mr. Dat a more balanced face and a more confident smile and also helps prevent future oral health issues.

At Elite Dental, our success is due to our strengths:

Highly Skilled and Knowledgeable Doctors: Our team consists of experienced and highly skilled doctors with in-depth knowledge of orthodontics, jaw structure, and tooth movement. They continuously research, learn, and participate in advanced training courses to create precise treatment plans for our clients.

Variety of Orthodontic Methods: We offer services such as metal braces, clear aligners, and ceramic braces. This allows clients to easily choose a method that suits their needs and budget.

Strict Criteria for Treatment Outcomes: Elite Dental ensures that every orthodontic case concludes by meeting six golden criteria related to smile aesthetics, facial harmony, and chewing function. Specifically, these criteria include a correct bite, a balanced midline, proper molar intercuspation, good chewing and speech function, improved facial profile from both frontal and side views, and long-lasting results.

Modern Orthodontic Support Equipment: Elite Dental has invested in an effective system of orthodontic support equipment, such as the Trios 3D scanner, the Sirona imaging system (from Germany), etc. With modern facilities and private orthodontic rooms, we ensure our clients feel comfortable throughout their treatment.

Don’t let facial asymmetry diminish your confidence. Contact Elite Dental today for a consultation with our leading doctors to find the optimal solution for you!

4.5. Jaw Surgery

In cases of severe jaw asymmetry that cannot be corrected by other methods, surgery may be necessary. However, you should consult with a treating physician to understand your specific situation and ensure the surgery is safe and achieves the best possible outcome.

5. Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Asymmetry

5.1. Is it okay to self-treat facial asymmetry at home?

Currently, many people who notice their face is asymmetrical try to self-adjust their facial bones at home using methods found online. However, this is strongly discouraged as it can lead to serious consequences such as damage to bones, joints, nerves, or even worsening the asymmetry. It is essential to be examined and advised by a medical professional to determine a suitable and safe course of treatment.

5.2. What is the most effective method to treat facial asymmetry?

There is no single “most effective” method for everyone. Treatment depends on the specific cause, such as asymmetry due to bone structure, muscles, habits, or trauma. Depending on the case, a doctor will recommend the appropriate method, such as orthodontics, physical therapy, jaw surgery, or lifestyle changes.

5.3. Should I get my face manually adjusted for asymmetry?

You should not undergo manual facial adjustments without a proper diagnosis. Incorrect adjustments can damage muscles and joints or even make the asymmetry worse.

The information above should help you better understand facial asymmetry, from its causes to effective treatments. If you have severe facial asymmetry that affects your quality of life and health, you should immediately visit a reputable and high-quality medical facility for timely examination, diagnosis, and treatment.