Orthognathic Surgery (Corrective Jaw Surgery) involves moving the bones of the upper or lower jaw or both. The jaws are lengthened or shortened, moved up or down, in or out, resulting in a more harmonious bite and facial appearance.
Orthognathic surgery is needed when jaws and teeth don't meet correctly. Repositioning the jaws so that the teeth meet (occlude) correctly improves jaw joint function and chewing (mastication) ability, and can also improve speech, breathing, sleep apnea, periodontal (gum) health and facial aesthetics.
Orthognathic Surgery (Corrective Jaw Surgery) is a complex surgery and because of the intricacies of occlusion (the way the teeth bite) and the combined effect on the facial appearance when moving the teeth and jaws, orthognathic surgery must be carefully planned. Because of its complexity, a team approach is used. The team consists of your orthodontist and oral surgeon and occasionally your general dentist and other dental specialists including periodontists and endodontists.
Orthognathic Jaw Surgery Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of orthognathic surgery, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to orthognathic surgery are discussed.
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Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?
People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite or jaws that are positioned incorrectly. Jaw growth is a gradual process and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may not match at the end of growth. Injury to the jaw during growth may be a cause for the incongruent growth of the jaws. The result can cause a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health and appearance. Some bite problems can be corrected by orthodontics alone.
Orthodontics alone can correct bite problems when only the teeth are involved. If the jaw bones (maxilla and mandible) are not aligned then Orthognathic surgery should be considered.
To compensate for mismatched jaws by moving just the teeth can lead to periodontal problems, relapse of orthodontic movements, jaw joint problems, and poor or even disastrous facial aesthetics.
Orthognathic Surgery Overview
For a brief narrated overview of the orthognathic surgery process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about orthognathic surgery.
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Difficulty in the following areas should be evaluated for the possible need for corrective jaw surgery:
difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing
speech problems
chronic jaw or TMJ pain
open bite (teeth don’t touch together)
protruding jaw
breathing problems
under bite
overbite
small chin/retruded jaw
obstructive sleep apnea
snoring
jaw, chin and nose misaligned
Any of these symptoms can exist at birth, be acquired after birth as a result of hereditary or environmental influences or as a result of trauma to the face.
Before any treatment begins, a consultation visit will be held to perform a complete examination with x-rays, and models. We will usually obtain your preorthodontic models from your orthodontist.
Dr. Reynolds uses modern computer techniques and three-dimensional models to show you exactly how your surgery will be approached. Using comprehensive facial X-rays and computer video imaging, we can show you how your bite will be improved and even give you an idea of how you'll look after surgery. This helps you understand the surgical process and the extent of the treatment prescribed. Our goal is to help you understand the benefits of orthognathic surgery.
In some cases Dr. Reynolds uses medical modeling to help plan your surgery. Medical modeling produces highly accurate physical models derived from medical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI. Sophisticated software is used to view and extract information to create a 3D model of a patient’s bone structure. Dr. Reynolds uses this model along with advanced computer programs (Dolphin“ Cephalometrics) to plan the exact movement of the jaws.
If you are a candidate for Orthognathic Surgery, Dr. Reynolds will work closely with your dentist and orthodontist during your treatment. The surgery can move your teeth and jaws into a new position that results in a more attractive, functional and healthy dental-facial relationship.
The surgery requires pre-surgical orthodontics to align the teeth independently in each jaw. The surgery is done and the jaws are aligned, then post-surgical orthodontics finishes the alignment of the teeth into the optimal occlusion (bite).
Orthodontics is an essential part of the overall plan.
In the past the jaws were wired together. Now, small Titanium plates and screws hold the bones in place while they are healing so most patients wake up from the surgery being able to move their mouth normally.
Diagnosis: Class II malocclusion, maxillary vertical hyperplasia (maxillary vertical excess VME), maxillary transverse hypoplasia, mandibular hypoplasia, nasal dorsal hump Comments: Note lip incompetence (lips don’t touch in relaxed position) Surgical Plan: Maxillary advancement (3 piece LeFort I vertical impaction), transverse widening of the maxilla, mandibular advancement (BSSO), rhinoplasty
Diagnosis: Class III malocclusion, maxillary vertical and transverse hypoplasia, mandibular hyperplasia, nasal dorsal hump Comments: This patient also exhibited assymetries in the vertical and transverse dimensions Surgical Plan: Maxillary advancement (3 piece LeFort I), mandibular setback (BSSO), rhinoplasty
In some cases Dr. Reynolds uses medical modeling to help plan your surgery. Medical modeling produces highly accurate physical models derived from medical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI. Sophisticated software is used to view and extract information to create a 3D model of a patient’s bone structure. Dr. Reynolds uses this model along with advanced computer programs (Dolphin“ Cephalometrics) to plan the exact movement of the jaws.
