Recessed Maxilla (Upper Jawbone): Symptoms & Treatment

Download Article

Plus, find out if mewing or pulling can really correct this issue

Co-authored by Asif Pirani, MD and Amber Crain

Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Definition

|

Signs & Symptoms

|

Causes

|

Is treatment required?

|

Treatments

|

Does pulling or mewing help?

|

Video

If you’ve seen “recessed maxilla” posts on social media, especially in looksmaxxing circles, you’re probably wondering what it means and how to tell if your own maxilla is recessed. We’re here to answer all of your questions about maxilla recession, including what it is, what the symptoms are, how it relates to attractiveness, and how to treat the issue. We’ll also talk about what causes a recessed maxilla and why mild cases may not require medical treatment.

Recessed Maxilla vs. Normal Maxilla

Illustrated comparison of a normal maxilla and a recessed maxilla and how it affects face shape.

A recessed maxilla is when the upper jawbone is set too far back in the face, which can affect facial appearance and health.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Asif Pirani, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Interview} Visible signs of a recessed maxilla include flat cheekbones, a sunken under-eye area, and a prominent jaw. Other signs include a thin upper lip, misaligned teeth, and breathing problems.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a recessed maxilla?

Download Article

A recessed maxilla is when the upper jawbone is positioned too far back. The maxilla is the medical term for the upper jawbone, which also includes the cheeks and lower part of the eye sockets. A recessed maxilla (also known as maxillary hypoplasia) is when the upper jawbone is underdeveloped or set back too far, causing improper alignment with the lower jaw.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}
- Because your maxilla makes up a big portion of your face, a misalignment can affect a lot of things, including your face shape, dental health, and overall health (depending on the severity).^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Maxilla recession can be mild or severe. Mild recession usually doesn’t cause significant (if any) symptoms, but severe recession can affect your health in numerous ways.
- What should you do if you think you have a recessed maxilla? Make an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor or an orthodontist for an evaluation.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Asif Pirani, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
  Expert Interview} A medical professional can help you diagnose and treat a recessed maxilla.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

Section 2 of 6:

How to Tell If You Have a Recessed Maxilla

Download Article

1
You have a flat midface appearance. Mild maxilla recession usually doesn’t cause any significant issues, but it can affect facial aesthetics to some degree, especially in the middle and lower parts of your face. Observe your profile in the mirror and check for facial features that look flattened, undefined, or asymmetrical.^{[6]
X
Research source} The most common symptoms include:
- Flattened cheekbones
- Hollow or sunken under-eye area
- Thin upper lip and pronounced lower lip
- Prominent lower jaw
- Uneven facial features
- Prominent nose
- Weak or recessed chin^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
2
You have misaligned teeth. A recessed maxilla can cause a variety of dental issues, mainly because of the misalignment it causes.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Misalignment can affect things like your bite (causing an underbite) and the effectiveness of your teeth and jaws.^{[9]
X
Research source} Dental symptoms caused by a recessed maxilla include:
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Teeth grinding
- Pain in the jaw joint (TMJ disorder)
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Difficulties with speech or pronunciation
- Cleft lip or palate (severe recession only)^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
3
You have breathing problems. People with recessed maxillas often struggle with breathing problems. They may gasp for air or take shallow breaths, especially when they’re sleeping. This is called sleep apnea, and it prevents your body from getting enough oxygen, leaving you exhausted and making it harder to function during the day.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Related symptoms include:
- Shallow breathing
- Gasping for air
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Sinus infections

Section 3 of 6:

Causes of a Recessed Maxilla

Download Article

Having a recessed maxilla, especially when it’s minor, usually just comes down to genetics. If a person has a recessed maxilla, it’s highly likely they inherited it from one of their parents. Genetics play a significant role in facial bone structure in general, and that includes the development and appearance of the maxilla.^{[12]
X
Research source}
In more serious cases, a recessed maxilla may be a symptom of a rare health condition like Pierre-Robin syndrome.^{[13]
X
Research source} Other syndromes that can disrupt development in childhood, like Crouzon syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome, can also cause a recessed maxilla.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Facial trauma, especially if it occurs when a person is young and still growing, can cause issues like a recessed maxilla. This is because facial trauma disrupts normal bone growth, which can cause the maxilla to be underdeveloped or recessed.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 6:

Do I need to fix a recessed maxilla?

Download Article

Treatment is only needed if you’re experiencing pain or a diminished quality of life. A lot of the information you see on social media is slightly exaggerated–having a mildly recessed maxilla is not going to make you unattractive or ruin your health. That said, anything beyond minor recession can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, and other health problems. In that case, seeking treatment is encouraged to improve your quality of life.
- If your maxilla is mildly recessed and you don’t like how it affects your facial features, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve that! It’s completely up to you—just keep in mind that social media is full of unrealistic beauty standards, and you don’t need to change yourself to meet them.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Treat a Recessed Maxilla

Download Article

1
Orthodontic headgear Reverse pull headgear can help fix an underbite caused by a recessed maxilla by pulling the upper jaw forward. The headgear has a vertical frame that goes in front of the face, connected to a wire mouthpiece that’s fitted to the upper back teeth. ^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Headgear is more effective for younger people whose bones are still developing, but it could potentially work for adults, too. Your best bet is to speak to an orthodontist.
- Cost: $1,500 to $3,000.
2
Filler injections Dermal fillers can be injected to add volume and definition to the midface area. This adds structure and dimension to the face and can also correct issues with asymmetry. Fillers usually last between 6 and 18 months before dissolving naturally, so they’re a temporary fix and will need to be repeated. That said, it’s a very effective treatment option.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Cost: $500 to $1,500 per syringe (each treatment typically requires 1-3 syringes)
3
Orthognathic surgery Orthognathic surgery corrects misaligned jaws and is the only permanent fix for severely recessed maxilla. It can be a complicated (and expensive) surgery and the recovery takes at least 6 weeks, but the surgery does have a 94% success rate. If you do decide to pursue surgery, you can be reasonably certain that you’ll be happy with the results.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Cost: $2,000 to $50,000 (depending on the complexity of the surgery)
- Recovery: According to board-certified dentist & oral surgeon Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS, be sure to “follow your dentist’s post-treatment instructions. These instructions include staying hydrated, resting after surgery, icing the area, and sticking to a soft diet."^{[19]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS
  Board Certified Dentist & Oral Surgeon
  
  Expert Interview}
  - Board-certified plastic surgeon Edward S. Kwak, MD also recommends that you “avoid alcohol for at least 3 days and then for 2 weeks after surgery” to minimize bruising.^{[20]
    X
    Expert Source
    
    Edward S. Kwak, MD
    Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
    
    Expert Interview}

Section 6 of 6:

Does pulling or mewing help?

Download Article

There’s no scientific evidence that mewing or pulling can correct a recessed maxilla. Mewing and pulling are both types of jaw exercises that can supposedly correct jaw issues, accentuate the jawline, and improve one’s facial appearance. Mewing and pulling are extremely popular on social media (especially in looksmaxxing circles), but there’s no scientific evidence that these exercises can reshape your jawline, especially for adults since their jawbones are already fully formed.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- Mewing: There’s no harm in trying mewing for yourself as long as you don’t do it too often (which can strain your jaw). To do it, just close your mouth and press your teeth together. Then, push your tongue up against the roof of your mouth and hold the position for 2-3 minutes.
  - The term “mewing” was named after Dr. John Mew, who founded and popularized the jaw exercise, but most medical professionals do not back up his claims for what mewing can do. Dr. Mew lost his dental license in 2019.^{[22]
    X
    Research source}
- Pulling: Pulling (also known as thumb pulling) is also mostly harmless to try if you’re curious about it. To do it, place your thumbs on the roof of your mouth, right behind your front teeth. Push up and forward with both thumbs for 10-60 minutes a day.^{[23]
  X
  Research source}