TMJ Forum - Facial Asymmetry?!

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > Facial Asymmetry?! (Page 1)

Q: Facial Asymmetry?!

asked by: ATC813 on September 18th, 2007

New User

Hello Everyone!

I have a question for all of you. First of all, I am 26 yrs old and I've had TMJ for 10 years now from a skiing accident.

About 5 years ago I noticed that my face is not as symmetrical as it once was. I didn't notice it after my accident, but then I lost around 50 lbs (5 years ago) and it became more noticable to me. The asymmetry hasn't changed over the years (hasn't gotten worse). But the left side of my face is def more full than the right. My jaw line is distinguished on the left side of my face, but much flatter and less noticable on the right side. Also, if I tilt my head back and look in the mirror, I can see that the right side of my jaw bone is lower and pushed in closer to my neck.... if that makes any sense. I also talk out of the left side of my mouth and the right side of my lip droops slightly. Everyone says that it isn't very noticable but I feel like they are just trying not to hurt my feelings! I feel like it's all I see when I look in the mirror!!! I'll even torture myself by getting a hand mirror and looking through it into my bathroom mirror and critiquing my face at different angles. Kinda like how you can't help but look in those 3 way mirrors in the dressing rooms, YIKES! Smile

Also, when I open my mouth my jaw shifts well to the left side. And the little round joint thing (I forget what it's called) only pops out on the right side.. I cannot feel that joint on the left side at all. But again, I rarely have pain, it is just more of an annoyance than anything.

But back to my original problem. Do any of you have permanent facial asymmetry from TMJ? Do you know if there are any treatments for it? My bite is even, but I feel like the right side of my face is sagging more than the left. Like if I bite down slowly, my left teeth touch before my right... but they still line up top to bottom. My dentist just keeps blowing me off and offering me a night guard to keep me from grinding my teeth while I'm sleeping!!

I am so self concious of the way my face looks!! What do you guys think? Anything I can do?

Sorry for the long post. Have a great day!

Replies(20)

grassy

replied on September 18th, 2007

Experienced User

Hi, Please Dont Worry

Hi please dont worry..... try not to get upset about that, please. you will drive yourself crazy and get more upset. tell yourself... Nope i'm not going to worry about that. i think alot of people that have tmj have that. my face used to be like that, but it has straightened out. if you dwell on it, you are going to get yourself more tense and upset. i understand, really i do. i am 46,an old bat now..... but i remember worrying about my looks alot at age 26.... i bet you are pretty and everyone loves you, and others dont even notice it ... hope that helps love cindy

catswold

replied on September 18th, 2007

Supporter

First off - facial asymmetry is very normal. Most people do NOT have a symmetrical face. There have even been TV shows about how the human face is different from side to side. It's quite interesting.

I imagine the weight loss has made you much more self conscious. By the way, congratulations and way to go!!

The mouth really shouldn't deviate when your mouth opens, though, but it is also not all that abnormal if doing so. If you have popping and/or pain, you really should consider a bite splint. But I think I'd go to a different dentist that your current one if his attitude is like you say. You might want to check out a neuromuscular dentist.

God bless...
Carol

TMJWorld

replied on September 18th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hey

i have an asymetrical face. it is fixable to a degree. you shouldnt have any deviation in any direction. if you need help finding a neuromuscular dentist let me know.

ATC813

replied on September 18th, 2007

New User

Thank you all so much! Even though I obsess about it, sometimes it's nice to know that others experience the same thing. I know that I obsess about it much more than I should. Sometimes I feel like people are staring at my mouth when I'm talking, then it makes me really self conscious....

I asked my mom about it and she said that I've always had a cute crooked smile, even as a child. So who knows, maybe my face has always been slightly off. I think the TMJ has def made it a little worse, but again, the weight loss probably accentuates it alot. I used to have a very full, round face, and now I finally have a jaw line (crooked or not! lol).

I am working outside of the US right now, but will be back in February. So at that time I'll start looking for a good nueromuscular dentist. If I can't find one, then I'll come looking for some help Wink

Thank you all for your support. It means more than you know.

Take care

TMJWorld

replied on September 19th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

ATC813 wrote:

Thank you all for your support. It means more than you know.

Take care

If you want to get started now i can still find a neuromuscular dentist where ever you are. do contact me when you get back Im eager to help you. Smile

lalaleo

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

Re: Facial Asymmetry?!

hey i have the exact same problem! and it irritates the hell out of me! so have u found a solution yet? pls tell me too

TMJWorld

replied on January 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

yes just pm me with any questions

lalaleo

replied on January 11th, 2008

New User

haha ok have u done the surgery yet?

TMJWorld

replied on January 11th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

me---yes ive had 3 surgeries

lalaleo

replied on January 13th, 2008

New User

SERIOUS? haha, where did u have it done? and how much was it? What was the recovery period like? and 3 surgeries-tts a lot rite?

TMJWorld

replied on January 13th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

well compared to some people that have not had very good surgeons that is nothing. i had 2 done here in the idaho area and i had one done in detroit michigan. Recovery can take up to a couple of years--however i for the most part feel so much bettert. Price depends on what kind of surgery you have and what state you are in. some doctors charge different prices. my last was over 50k. my first was 800 and my second was over 1k--i dont really remember lol

lalaleo

replied on January 14th, 2008

New User

do u have before and after pics?

TMJWorld

replied on January 14th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

yes i do--but id have to email them to you--pm it to me and ill send them to you.

thenumber12

replied on January 17th, 2008

New User

I'm wondering how nmd would help treat an assymetrical face. I have it as well due to how my teeth were positioned with braces and it's relapsing but now my tmjs don't work in unison and both sides make grating noises. I'm wondering because with the help of elastics my upper jaw shifted in a way where when you fold your upper lips up, the midline on my gum slants now. It got a lot straighter but it seems as if only time (relapse) could truly fix this problem. How would nmd help? And now my jaws open in a zig zag or laterally.

TMJWorld

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

yes nmd would help. this is more than likly caused by your muscles not knowing what to do. I have little or no deviation now because of them nmd.

Biani

replied on January 18th, 2008

Experienced User

Hi. I have an asymmetrical face too, and i think i have tmj. My jaw pops on the right side a lot, almost always when i yawn, sometimes when i eat. My chin is a tad bit to the left, and the right side of my mouth and surrounding area looks droopy compared to the left.
It makes me very self conscious, but people don't seem to notice, or they're too nice to say anything, i don't know. Only my boyfriend has told me he notices. Even before i didn't know what was wrong with my face, all i knew is i looked ugly in the pictures they take for school where you have to face straight ahead... i didn't know quite why, i always thought it was because i was making a weird face, but that's just how it is, weird. I know everyone's face is asymmetrical, but most faces you can at least trace a line down the middle and have it pass down the center of your forehead, nose, mouth and chin. I do that, my nose sticks out to the right, and mi mouth to the left, in a way that if i were to connect the middle points of each of these features, i'm left with a zig zag line! it's awful...
If anyone know how this is fixed, please tell me too.

TMJWorld

replied on January 20th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

it sure sounds like tmd--nmd could help do you have any muscle spasms?

thenumber12

replied on January 22nd, 2008

New User

dyan - I agree that my muscles are causing a lot of the problems as well as my teeth. One side of my lower jaw hangs a bit lower than the other as well. Can you tell me in greater detail how nmd can help to correct this? I have this new found phobia of getting any work done w/o knowing the details after orthodontics. Also will they be creating a "new" bite out of the current teeth positioning or will they help get my old position back or a bit of both and how? The process of nmd being described to me bearing my situation in mind will help me out a lot. Thanks a bunch.

TMJWorld

replied on January 22nd, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Lets just say that nmd would put the muscles into there proper position working with the bite that you have now. They (the muscles and the teeth) would work as a team as they should. I know about being skeptical--ive been through too much to not be. Depending on the case--HOw they do it varies. youd have to have the consultation and discuss it with him. more than likely they will use the bite taht you have now.

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