Facial Disharmony

How to Identify Facial Disharmony

The face can be divided into aesthetic units, including the forehead, eyes, nose, chin, lips and ears. Normally these areas are in balance with one another. When one or more units sit larger, smaller or further forward or back than expected in relation to the others, this is described as facial disharmony. Because the jaws support the middle and lower face, a difference in jaw position often shows in both the profile and the bite.

Causes of Facial Disharmony

Effects of Facial Disharmony

• Genetics / Inherited

• Trauma

• Tooth loss / Misalignment

• Effects on the bite and chewing

• Difficulty with lip closure or speech

• In some cases, effects on breathing

• Reduced self-esteem and social confidence

Treatment of Facial Disharmony

Treatment depends on the cause, your age, the severity and your own preferences, and is built as one plan for the face and the bite together. Options can include:

• Orthodontics to align the teeth

• Dento-facial orthopaedics to guide jaw growth in younger, growing patients

• Combined orthodontics and jaw surgery where the position of the bones drives the imbalance, which can involve the upper jaw (maxilla), the lower jaw (mandible) and the chin

• Assessment of related areas such as the nose and ears as part of facial surgery, where relevant

Care is led by Dr Chris Donaldson, Consultant Orthodontist and Clinical Director, with surgical assessment and treatment provided in-house by Mr Ash Messiha, Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon. Both are dual-qualified in medicine and dentistry and plan cases together, so the orthodontic and surgical sides are built to match. This face-first approach is central to how our consultants plan. See also our Facial Surgery and Facial Surgery Planning pages. Suitability is determined by a clinical assessment.