Does your child’s chin deviate to one side? An orthodontist is trained to look for this.

The usual reason the chin is not directly under the center of the nose is that it has shifted to one side in order for the upper

and lower teeth to fit together better, due to a narrowness of the upper jaw.  The upper jaw, being just a little too narrow,

does not bite well against the lower, so a slight shift of the lower jaw to the right or left makes the bite normal on one side

and full crossbite on the other, providing more tooth contact and a sense of stability.

 

If allowed to remain, the chin may permanently grow into that unsymmetrical position.  Orthodontists are usually quite

alert to this occurrence and recommend widening the upper jaw immediately.  Once the upper jaw is widened sufficiently,

the lower jaw will usually seek equilibrium with it and the chin re-centers itself.  The widened upper jaw is best maintained

with a holding wire for an extended time, since the cause of the narrow arch may still exist.