Corrective Jaw Surgery
What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Corrective Jaw Surgery, or Orthognathic Surgery, is a systematically planned surgical procedure performed to improve the position, projection and symmetry of the jaws to provide balanced facial proportions. It helps to correct dental and jaw relationships to provide better chewing efficiency and a more aesthetic jaw profile.
Why is Corrective Jaw Surgery Is Done?
It is used to enhance the face profile in individuals with a disturbed jaw relationship. These are usually patients who have:
- Dental malalignment that cannot be corrected by orthodontics alone
- An excessively gummy smile
- A forwardly projecting upper / lower jaw or both
- No chin projection
- An asymmetrical face
- A repaired cleft palate
What Corrective Jaw Surgery Can / Can’t Do
- Can
- Improve the face profile and symmetry
- Improve your smile and lip projection
- Change the appearance of your nose
- Correct disturbed dental relationships and improve chewing efficiency
- Make you appear more youthful, more feminine or masculine, depending on the procedure
- Can’t
- Change your personality
- Create a completely new face
How You Should Prepare For This Surgery?
- Discuss your aesthetic requirements with your surgeon
- It requires a comprehensive planning phase that includes your approval of a simulated jaw profile designed by your doctor
- Dental relationships usually change after corrective jaw surgery. Orthodontic treatment proceeds simultaneously with the surgery
- Discuss any medical illnesses, if you have, with your doctor
- Stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before the surgery
- Get an oral prophylaxis (scaling) 1 week before surgery to improve oral hygiene and surgical outcome
What is the Procedure of Corrective Jaw Surgery ?
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. It involves separating the jaw bones from the facial bony architecture and repositioning it into a more aesthetic and functional pre-planned position. The jaws are then fixed into their new position using sterile titanium miniplates.
Depending on the extent of the deformity and whether one or both jaws require correction, the procedure may take 2-4 hours. The entire surgery is done from inside the oral cavity with no scars or stitches anywhere on the face.
At our centre, the use of piezosurgery for bone cutting prevents the risk of injury to vital nerves and teeth during surgery, making the entire treatment experience safer and more comfortable for the patient. Also, the fixation plates used are premium quality and steam sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.
The treatment planning done is meticulous and jaw repositioning is planned down to the exact millimeter. At our centre, the use of a simulation surgery software during planning allows the patient to be an integral part of the treatment plan and accurately predict the surgical outcome.
Recovery After Corrective Jaw Surgery?
- Corrective jaw surgery may require a period of hospitalization up to 2-3 days
- Mild facial swelling may be seen for up to 4 weeks days after the procedure
- A period of jaw closure (intermaxillary fixation) may be required for up to 2 weeks in some cases
- Solid foods and heavy exercise are to be avoided for up to 4 weeks after the surgery
- Regular saline rinses are advised to maintain wound hygiene
- You may experience some transient numbness of the lip and nasal stuffiness in some cases
Risk involved in Corrective Jaw Surgery ?
If not performed by an expert, it may result in:
- Relapse
- TMJ pain
- Permanent numbness of the lower lip
- Damage to teeth
- Wound infection
Knowledge Centre
For Patient Education