Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
Orthognathic Jaw Surgery - What to Expect Orthognathic jaw surgery is a combination of orthodontic treatment and reconstructive surgery to reposition the teeth and jaws for improving function and aesthetics. The treatment is aimed at correcting the discrepancy between the size of jaws (lower and upper) and abnormally positioned as well as misaligned jaws. It improves facial appearance and also ensures proper functioning and positioning of the teeth. This reconstructive procedure can resolve functional problems in chewing, eating, breathing, speaking, and disfigurement and dysfunction of the temporo-mandibular joint. Discrepancies in jaw alignment occur when the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates. Injury to the jaw and birth defects are other causes of the condition. Dental and facial appearance, if compromised, can lead to psychological distress affecting interpersonal relationships and quality of life. Jaw function, if ignored, can cause the following difficulties. • • • •
Difficulty in eating certain foods in public Jaw muscle and jaw joint problems Difficulty in speaking Damage to the gums and palate due to traumatic bite
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
• Weak facial projection • Straining to close the lips at rest Stages of Orthognathic Reconstructive Surgery Corrective Jaw Surgery to reposition jaws typically comprises three stages: Stage I The first stage, namely pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, involves proper positioning of teeth with orthodontic braces. Orthodontic braces are fixed to straighten the teeth in each jaw so that the jaws can fit properly once the discrepancy has been surgically corrected. This part of the treatment can take an average of 18 months to one year, depending on the level of abnormality. Stage II Once the teeth alignment is satisfactorily corrected through pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist and the craniofacial surgeon will move to the second stage of the treatment process - the surgery. The procedures performed in this stage are as follows: • The patient is administered general anesthesia • Incisions to uncover the bony surfaces of the jaws are made inside the mouth
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
• The surgery involves a controlled break of the upper or the lower jaw, or both • The surgeon moves the mobile jaw fragments into the pre-planned position and fixes them in place using either bone plates and screws, or both. As the incisions are placed inside the mouth, there are no external scars. The entire surgical procedure can take 2-5 hours, depending on the complexity. Stage III Stage III involves post-surgical orthodontic treatment for about 6 months to achieve the best possible fit of the teeth. During this stage, the braces are removed by the orthodontist. Follow-up continues for about 5 years. Though major complications are rare, it is critical that the surgery is performed by plastic surgeon specialized in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery procedures for optimal results.