Corrective Jaw Surgery or Orthognathic Surgery

Corrective jaw, or Orthognathic surgery is performed to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth, which, in turn, can improve bite, speaking, breathing and facial aesthetics. While the patient's appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems such as open bite deformity, difficulty chewing food, TMJ dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea. The goal of this surgery is to improve your aesthetics and function (bite, speech, and breathing). The results of corrective jaw surgery can have a dramatic and positive effect on many aspects of your life.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

Patient’s who may benefit from corrective jaw surgery include those with an improper bite resulting from misaligned teeth and/or jaws. In some cases, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. Injuries and congenital birth defects may also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics can usually correct bite, or "occlusion," problems when only the teeth are misaligned, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to correct misalignment of the jaws.

Deciding whether or not a person could benefit from corrective surgery on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or chin is usually determined by a multidisciplinary team of dental professionals comprised of an Orthodontist, and an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon. Combining their respective specialties, they will determine what needs to be done to achieve the desired outcome and then create a treatment plan. This plan will likely involve orthodontic treatment to reposition teeth prior to the corrective surgery as well as additional orthodontic treatment after surgery, and the patient's entire treatment plan may be completed over one to two years.

PRE-SURGERY WORK UP

After completing pre-orthodontic teeth movement, patients will need facial skeletal X-Rays, dental models, dental splints, pre-surgery photographic imaging. In our practice we use a 3D Craniofacial Cone Beam CT Scanner by Kodak which is a low dose radiation x-ray. A 3D photographic image of the patient with the 3dMD cameras are obtained and combined with the 3D CT image together. Next a 3D computer model of the skin, soft tissue and bone is obtained with the aid of the 3dMD imaging sytem and using the 3dMDvultus software, which allows Dr. Broujerdi to preform virtual surgery. This technology will prepare and allow the surgeon to visualize and calculate the correct movements of the jaw precisely before the actual surgery.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

Weather the surgery will be done in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center depends on the procedure to be performed. The surgery may take as many as four hours to complete or as few as one hour. General anesthesia is used with a certified anesthesiologist monitoring the patient. Typically, the surgical incisions are made within the mouth so there are no or few small skin incision for the surgery. Once the bones of the chin, upper jaw, and/or lower jaw are repositioned, they may be held in place with small titanium screws and plates. In our practice we do not wire patients mouth shout. Rubber bands or a dental splint are used to guide the patient temporarily into a new bite.

RECOVERY

The surgeon will provide the patient with a diet to follow during the healing process as well as a timetable for moving back to a regular diet. The surgeon will advise the patient on any limitations on physical activity to observe during the initial healing period, which lasts approximately six weeks. Also, the surgeon will provide the patient with instructions for using prescription or over-the-counter medications to control pain. One to three weeks following surgery, the majority of patients are able to return to school or work. Eight to ten weeks are required for complete healing of the surgical sites.

Successful Orthognathic surgery can not only eliminate pain, restore function, improve quality of life, and boost self-esteem for the patient, but it can also improve his or her dental health by eliminating abnormal wear forces on the teeth, making it easier for them to brush and floss their teeth and allowing them to maximize the effectiveness of their home care as well as the benefits of regular professional cleanings.