Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Macrognathism

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Macrognathism refers to the condition of abnormally large jaws. It is also called 'megagnathia' (antonym: micrognathia).

Contents

Signs and symptoms

  • Mandibular protrusion (when mandible is affected)
  • "Gummy smile" (when maxilla is affected)
  • Ramus of mandible forms a less steep angle with body of mandible
  • Mandibular prognathism caused by excessive condylar growth
  • Chin appears prominent

    • Cause

  • Heredity
  • Pituitary gigantism
  • Paget's disease of bone (osteitis deformans)
  • Acromegaly
  • Leontiasis ossea

    • Treatment

    Treatment is surgical. Osteotomies may be done in case of maxillary macrognathia. Mandibular macrognathia is generally managed by resection of a portion of the mandible followed by orthodontic treatment.

    References

    Macrognathism Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA