Cosmetic Dentistry

Orthognathic Surgery - Maxillofacial Surgery

What is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure that changes positions of the jaws. It is intended to correct deformities of the jaw, which affect appearance and health. In the same way orthodontics straights teeth, Orthognathic works in straightening jaws.

On average, the procedure is also combined with an orthodontic treatment, because moving the jaws also moves the teeth. The orthodontic is used after surgery, in order to rearrange teeth, for optimal alignment of the teeth and the bite.

Orthognathic Surgery is best for people who present an improper bite or whose jaws are incorrectly positioned. Jaw imbalance might be caused by the fact that upper and lower jaws sometimes grow differently.

When is Orthognathic Surgery necessary?

Most common facial imbalances that can be improved with Orthognathic Surgery are:

• Large jaws/chins
• Small jaws/chins
• Receding chin
• Unbalanced facial appearance
• Chronic jaw pain
• Open bite, teeth that don’t fit together
• Difficulties when chewing, biting food or even swallowing
• Speech problems
• Flat cheekbones
• Injury and birth defects affecting the jaw
• Excessive wearing of teeth

In some cases, only a specialist is able to recognize these problems. An evaluation should be carefully made by an orthodontist or an oral maxillofacial surgeon, in order to determine if a surgical repositioning is needed. Usually the treatment involves three professionals, such as oral and maxillofacial surgeons and also an orthodontist.
In some cases, the orthodontist will start aligning the teeth with braces. After the teeth are in the correct position, the Orthognathic surgeon will realign the jaws. This might be done even while the patient uses the braces.

How is Orthognathic Surgery performed?

Orthognathic Surgery procedure usually takes from 3 to 4 hours, under general anesthesia.
Both jaws can be operated during the same surgery (Bi-maxillary osteotomy) or just one at a time (osteotomy). Incisions will be made inside the mouth, in order to expose the bone of the mandible (lower jaw) and maxilla (upper jaw). The Orthognathic Surgeon will then cut the bone of the jaw(s), remove or even add part of the bone structure until he reached the optimal position for the jaws.
After the completion of the re-alignment of the jawbones, the Orthognathic Surgeon will re-attach the jaws with the help of wires, plates and screws.

Recovery from Orthognathic Surgery

Hospital stay usually takes from one to three days. At the first week following the Orthognathic procedure, special care should be taken. Patients should maintain an all-liquid diet at the first days following surgery and go slowly introducing soft food before hard food. Following the diet correctly helps the healing process.
Pain medication and prophylactic antibiotics will also be prescribed. Reactions such as facial discoloration and swelling are expected. Hard exercising should not be practiced before a month following surgery.
Depending on extent of the surgery; healing process might take from a few weeks to up to a year. Swelling usually disappears at the first weeks after surgery; however, some swelling might also remain a few months later. On average, Orthognathic Surgery recovery is faster than recovery from an extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth.
Expected Orthognathic Surgery results include a more balanced appearance and enhancement of speech and health. Orthognathic Surgery also provides an improvement in biting and chewing.

The surgeon will accompany healing process, in order to make sure changes remain at the same place and also check if there is any infection.

 

Expected Results from Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery moves your teeth and jaws into a new position that is more balanced, functional and healthy.  Not only should you be able to bite and chew better than ever before, but your appearance and speech may be enhanced, as well.  The results of orthognathic surgery can have a dramatic and positive effect on many aspects of your life.

 

What else you should know

Not treating facial imbalances influences health and appearance. Problems such as difficulties to bite, chew, keep lips closed together and even speaking difficulties might appear when facial imbalances are not treated. Dental health, also including gums and the jaw joint (TMJ) will also be in jeopardy. The reason for most people electing to correct facial imbalances through Orthognathic Surgery is the fact that it also improves appearance, making face look more balanced.   
Orthognathic surgery also enlarges airway, being successful in case of sleep apnea.