Lower jaw slightly tilted - one side lower

[plan9]

Hi, I'm hoping you guys can help me understand a problem that is bothering me, and whether anything can be done about it.

The right side of my lower jaw is slightly lower than the left. This means that the teeth on the left side make contact first, and has the effect of pushing my lower jaw to the right when I close my mouth. I have been told by dentists that my bite is fine. In the picture I'm pushing my lower jaw forward to illustrate the asymmetry.

I went to a maxilofaxial specialist about 7 years ago and he said the problem was minor and not worth the risk of surgery. However, the asymmetry is noticeable and it bothers me. Also I was hoping that perhaps surgical techniques might have advanced since then, making this easier to correct with lower risk. Also of interest is that I was in a very bad car accident (ran over) as a child, so perhaps this is related to that.

Can this type of asymmetry be corrected? Does anyone know of a surgeon I can contact to ask about this who may be able to help? Thanks for your help people!

http://imgur.com/PbxRRar

[plan9]

So then this is necessarily a highly invasive operation? I'm a newbie here. So you're saying this requires "splitting" my jaw? Is there anything else it could be such as scar tissue in a joint from my accident??

[april]

I have been told by dentists that my bite is fine. In the picture I'm pushing my lower jaw forward to illustrate the asymmetry.

plan9,
Do you have an open bite when your jaw is not pushed forward?
Or do the top teeth overlap the bottom?

It could be to do with your accident (sounds awful) - I obviously don't know anything beside this photo, but it's possible the trauma interrupted or slowed the growth of one condyle, leaving you with one slightly longer than the other. But I don't know. You would see on Xray or CT if one is longer than the other.

Any joint symptoms?

I would see an orthodontist first.

[plan9]

Thanks Bee18 - I do not have an open bite. My top teeth overlap the bottom. I have looked up condyle, and I agree that a sightly shorter condyle on one side would be a very logical explanation for this. If that's it, I wonder if that is easy to correct? Does anyone know about this?

I think I will see an orthodontist and try to get a CT scan to get to the bottom of this. Thanks again.

[plan9]

I think it may be a very minor version of this

http://www.facialsculptureclinic.com/en/surgery/orthognathic-classification/asymmetries/

They say it's fixed by "jaw repositioning". Can anyone explain this?

[strongjawman]

It's double jaw surgery. it requires cutting your maxilla and mandible and then repositioning them before fixating them with screws and plates. It is incredibly invasive. If your bite is fine it will be harder to get surgery if the asymmetry is minor.