Treatment Options
As a child develops, this condition often corrects itself, though micrognathia in adults can be observed if a medical professional does not treat it early. If this condition is present at birth, the jaw size corrects itself through growth between 6 and 18 months. However, if the condition does not correct itself, young patients are often instructed to wait until their adult teeth come in to see if they need treatment since the jaw will grow during puberty.
However, should the condition not resolve, medical professionals can use surgical and nonsurgical methods for treating this condition, with nonsurgical procedures being more common.
Nonsurgical methods do not change the jaw position, but they may allow for a more comfortable life. One treatment option is to change your child's sleeping position to lie face down, which encourages a clear airway. Some patients may also use a nasopharyngeal airway, a tube placed in the nasal passage to open the airway.
You should discuss surgery options extensively with your doctor, as their recommendations will differ based on your child's age and stage of development. These options may include a procedure to tie the base of the tongue to the lower jaw closer to the chin or a tracheostomy procedure to create an airway opening. To surgically lengthen the jawbone, your doctor may suggest an approach called mandibular distraction osteogenesis. This surgical treatment entails inserting screws into the jawbone during the first weeks of life. According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the device may stay in place for 12 weeks until the new bone forms.