Thursday, May 23, 2013

Table of Contents

Home Care

If micrognathia interferes with feeding, you'll need to use special feeding techniques and equipment. You can learn these techniques through special programs that are available at most hospitals.


Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if:

  • Your child seems to have a very small jaw
  • Your child has trouble feeding properly

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will do a physical examination and may ask questions about the history of the problem, such as:

  • When did you first notice that the jaw was small?
  • How severe is it?
  • Does the child have trouble eating?
  • What other symptoms are present?

The physical examination will include a thorough check of the mouth.

The following tests may be performed:

  • Dental x-rays
  • Skull x-rays

If there are other symptoms that indicate an inherited condition, testing for that condition may be advised. The health care provider might recommend surgery or orthodontic devices.


Images

The face

Review Date: 05/12/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)