Orthognathic Surgery (Corrective Jaw Surgery) is performed in order to correct congenital skeletal and dental asymmetries and defects. Patients requiring orthognathic surgery commonly have significant facial and dental deformities including severe malocclusion (teeth do not fit together correctly), anterior open bite, posterior open bite, excessive gummy smile, difficulty chewing, lips do not touch unless patient is straining, dry mouth, receding chin, prominent chin, asymmetries from one side of the face to the other, lack of cheekbones, long face syndrome and TMJ pain and headaches.
Orthognathic surgery is typically evaluated by both an Orthodontist and a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. A patient will traditionally wear braces for 12 to 18 months prior to the corrective jaw surgery and for 6-8 months following surgery. However, all cases are unique and tailored to the patients specific needs and desires.
Orthognathic surgery involves moving either the lower jaw, upper jaw or both in order to correct the specific facial and dental deformity of the patient. These procedures are performed in either an outpatient or a hospital setting and are performed after full skeletal maturity of the patient. Adjunctive procedures such as dental implant placement, genioplasty (chin implant or reduction), rhinoplasty/septoplasty and cheekbone augmentation may be performed in order to correct for facial asymmetries.
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Figure 1:
Anterior open bite, protrusive Lower jaw and significant asymmetry.
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Figure 2:
After surgical correction of Patient in Figure 1.
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Figure 3:
Patient in Figure 1 prior to corrective jaw surgery.
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Figure 4:
After corrective jaw surgery.
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Figure 5:
Patient with severe open bite deformity.
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Figure 6:
Patient in Figure 5 after corrective jaw surgery.
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Figure 7:
Patient with severe deep bite, asymmetry and protrusive lower jaw.
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Figure 8:
Patient in Figure 7 after corrective jaw surgery.
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