The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
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We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
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The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
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Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
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The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
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Prognathism
Definition
Prognathism is an extension or bulging out (protrusion) of the lower jaw (mandible) that occurs when the shape of the face bones cause the teeth to be improperly lined up (misaligned).
Alternative Names
Extended chin
Considerations
Prognathism may cause malocclusion (misalignment of the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth), giving some people an angry, or fighter's, appearance. Prognathism may be a symptom of various syndromes or conditions.
Common Causes
An extended (protruding) jaw can be part of the normal facial shape a person is born with.
It can also be caused by inherited conditions such as Crouzon syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome.
It may develop over time in children or adults as the result of conditions such as gigantism or acromegaly.
Home Care
It is appropriate to see a dentist or orthodontist to treat abnormal alignment of the jaw and teeth. However, your primary health care provider should also be involved to check for any underlying medical disorders that can be associated with prognathism.
Call your health care provider if
- There is difficulty talking, biting, or chewing related to the abnormal jaw alignment.
- You have concerns about jaw alignment
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions regarding the patient's medical history. Questions may include:
- Is there any family history of an unusual jaw shape?
- Is there difficulty talking, biting, or chewing?
- What other symptoms do you have?
Diagnostic tests may include:
- Skull x-ray
- Dental x-rays
- Imprints of the bite (a plaster mold is made of the teeth)
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