Yes, your jaw can continue to grow and change after puberty, especially the lower jaw (mandible), often into the late teens and even early twenties, though the most significant growth happens during the adolescent growth spurt. Growth slows down but is a continuous process, with changes occurring in size, shape, and position, influenced by genetics, hormones, and functional habits.
Growth spurts during childhood—especially around ages 6–12 and again in puberty—are when the jaw changes most rapidly. By the time your child is 12–14 years old, the upper jaw (maxilla) has typically finished growing, while the lower jaw (mandible) may continue developing into the late teen years.
Many bones and structures within the body stop growing and changing at a certain point, but that is not true when it comes to the facial structure. The jaw line and chin will continue to grow, develop and change as a person ages.
Your jaws are growing and developing throughout childhood, changing the shape of your face and your bite. On average, the jaws stop growing around 15-18 years of age. Corrections to the jaw can still be made in adulthood. Usually, orthodontic treatment takes longer with adults and may require corrective jaw surgery.
More than half of your facial growth occurs during your first four years. Although 90% of your facial bones complete development by age 12, your lower jaw continues to grow until approximately age eighteen.
While some are blessed with an angular, noticeable jawline, most of us aren't. This difference is because your facial structure is determined predominantly by genetics. This genetic code defines the width and prominence of your mandible, also known as a jawbone.
In addition to lines and wrinkles, one of the telltale signs of aging in men and women is a less defined jawline. Eventually, deeper wrinkles will form and midface tissue begins to sag. Fat and tissue will also accumulate, contributing to jowls and unattractive loose skin.
By about 21 years of age, the average person can have 32 permanent teeth,16 in the upper jaw and 16 in the lower jaw. The third molar teeth – commonly called wisdom teeth – do not develop or commonly do not erupt, so some people only have 28 permanent teeth.
As we age, our jawlines tend to lose their sharpness due to bone reabsorption and a volume loss higher up in the face.
Another sign of completed jaw growth is the eruption of the third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. These teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, and their eruption is often considered a marker of the end of jaw growth.
Masseter Muscle and Masseter Hypertrophy
However, masseter muscle hypertrophy can occur due to excessive use, often caused by teeth grinding, severe bruxism, or habitual jaw tension from muscle tension and stress. This overactivity leads to a bulky jawline, making the jaw appear wider and more square.
Fortunately, bone loss in the jaw can be reversed after its deterioration. Oral & Facial Surgery of Pittsburgh provides treatment options that help a patient to eat and speak clearly. Options for reversal include: Bone grafting – The most common treatment for jawbone atrophy is a bone graft.
Greater Percentage of Soft Foods
Recent research in this area has revealed that the intake of relatively softer diet produces little mechanical stimulus for the bones and muscles which constitute the jaw. This results in the decline in the physical dimension and density of a person's jaw over a period of time.
Age can also impact the appearance of your jaw as throughout the years, chemical declines of collagen and elastin occur within the dermis layer of skin which causes the skin to physically sag. Any loose and ageing skin may therefore exacerbate an already receding jawline (known as retrogenia).
After the age of 13 years, the facial growth slowed down, and after 16 years of age it practically ceased. Bulygina et al. [51] also reported a significant decline in the rate of growth at approximately 13 years of age and a cessation of growth at about 15 years of age.
Introducing harder, more difficult to chew foods from an early age helps to strengthen the jaw muscles and promotes bone growth, allowing the jaw to develop to its full genetic potential. The best foods to get the jaws moving are hard, fibrous foods like whole raw vegetables, whole nuts and seeds, and meat on the bone.
Jaw development is closely linked to the eruption of teeth and plays a significant role in oral health and function. The upper and lower jaws undergo continuous growth and development throughout childhood and adolescence, reaching their full size and shape by the late teenage years or early twenties.
Chewing gum does involve repetitive use of the jaw muscles, particularly the masseter. However, scientific studies have not shown that this activity leads to a sharper or more sculpted jawline. Most of your facial appearance is shaped by genetics, age, skin elasticity, and overall body fat—not by jaw exercises alone.
Sudden Trauma or Injury
An unexpected hit to the face or jaw can cause a shift in alignment. This might happen during sports, a fall, or an accident. Even if there is no visible damage, internal swelling or dislocation can affect your jaw's position.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
The "7+4 Rule" in pediatric dentistry is a guideline for baby tooth eruption: a child typically gets their first tooth around 7 months old, and then gains about 4 new teeth every 4 months thereafter, reaching all 20 primary teeth by around 27 months (just over 2 years), helping parents track normal development and know when to see a dentist. Another "Rule of 7" emphasizes a child should see an orthodontist by age 7 for an early evaluation of permanent teeth and jaw development.
As we age, we experience bone loss and less bone density in our bodies, including in our jaws. A shrinking jawbone leaves less room for your teeth, making them crowd closer together and decreasing bone density in your jaw means your teeth are less securely anchored in your gums.
Jaw exercises are surprisingly powerful tools for improving your daily comfort and oral health. The muscles in your jaw and neck must stay mobile to work efficiently, and when they don't get the movement they need, you might notice stiffness, discomfort, or even changes in how you speak and chew.
They are genetic, and can be altered through environmental factors.
For their research, the surgeons obtained serial radiographs of eight men and eight women, and discovered that, over their lifetimes, the patients' mandibles continued to grow and widen as they aged.