Definition and Classification of Prognathism
- Prognathism is a condition characterised by the protrusion of the lower jaw.
- It can be classified as either mandibular prognathism or maxillary prognathism.
- Mandibular prognathism is a genetic disorder where the lower jaw outgrows the upper.
- Maxillary prognathism is associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome.
Causes and Prevalence of Prognathism
- Prognathism can occur due to normal variation among phenotypes in human populations.
- It can also be a malformation, result of injury, disease state, or hereditary condition.
- Genetic factors, such as autosomal recessive inheritance, can contribute to prognathism.
- Environmental factors, such as inbreeding, can also cause prognathism.
- Prognathism is more common in certain populations, including African, Asian, and Native American populations.
Medical Implications and Treatment of Prognathism
- Severe cases of prognathism can lead to functional issues, such as difficulty in chewing and speaking.
- It can also cause aesthetic concerns and impact self-esteem.
- Prognathism may require orthodontic treatment or corrective jaw surgery for functional and cosmetic improvement.
- Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or aligners, may be used to correct mild to moderate cases of prognathism.
- Surgical intervention, such as orthognathic surgery, may be necessary for more severe cases to reposition the jaws and improve facial harmony.
Historical and Cultural Significance of Prognathism
- Prognathism has been observed in historical figures, such as members of the Habsburg dynasty.
- The Habsburg jaw, a term used to describe their distinctive facial feature, has attracted attention from researchers.
- The prevalence of prognathism among the Habsburgs has been attributed to centuries of intermarriage within the royal family.
- Prognathism has also been depicted in art and literature, often associated with negative stereotypes.
- The condition has cultural significance in different societies, with varying perceptions and interpretations.
Diagnosis and Clinical Determinants of Prognathism
- Prognathism can be diagnosed through a physical examination and analysis of facial and dental features.
- Clinical determinants include soft tissue analysis and dental arch relationship assessment.
- Imaging techniques, such as X-rays and CT scans, may be used to assess the severity and underlying causes of prognathism.
- Alveolar prognathism can result from harmful habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
- Functional appliances can be used to modify bad habits and correct alveolar prognathism.
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Prognathism, also called Habsburg chin, Habsburg's chin, Habsburg jaw or Habsburg's jaw primarily in the context of its prevalence amongst members of the House of Habsburg, is a positional relationship of the mandible or maxilla to the skeletal base where either of the jaws protrudes beyond a predetermined imaginary line in the coronal plane of the skull.[clarification needed] In general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics, this is assessed clinically or radiographically (cephalometrics). The word prognathism derives from Greek πρό (pro, meaning 'forward') and γνάθος (gnáthos, 'jaw'). One or more types of prognathism can result in the common condition of malocclusion, in which an individual's top teeth and lower teeth do not align properly.[citation needed]
| Prognathism | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Habsburg jaw |
 | |
| Illustration of different types | |
| Specialty | Orthodontics  |
| Types |
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| Causes | Multifactorial |
| Treatment | Orthodontics; oral and maxillofacial surgery |
| Frequency |
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pro- + gnatho- + -ism
prognathism (countable and uncountable, plural prognathisms)
