Micrognathism


Micrognathism is a condition where the jaw is undersized. It is also sometimes called "mandibular hypoplasia". It is common in infants, but is usually self-corrected during growth, due to the jaws' increasing in size. It may be a cause of abnormal tooth alignment and in severe cases can hamper feeding. It can also, both in adults and children, make intubation difficult, either during anesthesia or in emergency situations.

Causes

While not always pathological, it can present as a birth defect in multiple syndromes including:
It can be detected by the naked eye as well as dental or skull X-Ray testing.