Corrective Jaw Surgery or Orthognathic surgery is recommended for adults whose jaw growth is complete and who have jaw problems that braces or other surgeries can’t fix.
It aims to correct bone issues in the jaw and sometimes improve the appearance of the face.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (a face and jaw specialist) works with an orthodontist (a braces doctor) to create a treatment plan to achieve the best outcome.
What is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, fixes jaw problems and creates a better-looking face. This surgery involves moving the jawbones to a more normal position based on measurements from the skull’s base. It is both aesthetically appealing and beneficial for performance.
Conditions that may require corrective jaw surgery
The following are some possible reasons for corrective jaw surgery:
- Correcting a malocclusion or open bite, crossbite, underbite, and overbite that cannot be done by braces alone
- To improve speech, breathing, or chewing
- To treat sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop and start at night repeatedly.
- Treating injuries to the jaw
- Correcting face abnormalities resulting from jaw issues
Who might need jaw surgery?
You might need jaw surgery if your jaw sticks out too much, your chin looks small, or your face isn’t balanced. Doctors diagnose these jaw problems using X-rays, photos, and checkups.
Benefits of corrective jaw surgery
While a significant procedure, corrective jaw surgery offers several advantages that can improve one’s life in many ways, such as making it easier to eat, speak, and breathe.
- Improved Biting and Speech: When your jaw is in the right place, you can chew better and speak more clearly, as your tongue can move around more easily.
- Reduced TMJ discomfort: Misaligned jaws may contribute to pain and discomfort linked to temporomandibular joint abnormalities (TMJ). Corrective surgery might assist with these problems by improving the jaw joint function.
- Improved breathing and sleep: In some cases, jaw problems can block airways, causing breathing difficulties and sleep apnea. By opening the airway, surgery could enhance sleep quality and reduce daytime exhaustion.
- Facial Symmetry and Balance: A misaligned jaw can lead to a lopsided or unbalanced facial appearance. A more visually attractive and symmetrical jawline can be created with corrective surgery.
- Improved Confidence: It’s natural to feel self-conscious about some facial features. Jaw surgery can resolve these problems and enhance general well-being and self-confidence.
- Reduced Tooth Wear: Improper bite can cause uneven tooth wear and tear. Realigning the jaw distributes stresses more equally, preventing excessive tooth wear and potential damage.
- Improved dental care: A corrected jaw position makes it possible to more easily reach all teeth for proper brushing and oral hygiene practices.
- Reduced Pain: Corrective surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate long-term discomfort related to misaligned jaws.
- Improved Quality of Life: Jaw surgery can significantly enhance a person’s overall quality of life by resolving functional and cosmetic difficulties. Jaw surgery is a big decision. Talk to a qualified face and jaw surgeon to see if it’s right for you and what to expect.
The Corrective Jaw Surgery Procedure
1. Anesthesia and Incision Placement
Anesthesia: Under general anaesthesia, you’ll be completely asleep and not feel pain during surgery. A breathing tube will be placed through your nose to help you breathe.
Incisions: The surgeon aims for minimal scarring. For upper jaw surgery, incisions are made inside the mouth along the gums, and for lower jaw surgery, behind the molars. Small, discrete incisions outside the mouth might sometimes be needed.
2. Repositioning the Jaw
Once access is achieved through the incisions, the surgeon carefully makes a planned incision in the jawbone.
The precise type of cut needed depends on the kind of change required. For example, the upper jaw can be moved forward through a horizontal cut, and the lower jaw might be moved backward with a vertical cut.
The surgeon meticulously moves the jaw segment into its new, corrected position.
3. Bone grafts (if required)
Sometimes, there might not be enough bone to hold the jaw in its new place.
Bone grafting uses bone from another part of your body (like your hip, leg, or ribs) or synthetic bone to fill in the gaps and help the jaw heal in the new position.
4. Securing the Jaw in its New Position:
After realigning the jaw, the surgeon employs multiple techniques to ensure its stable position:
Screws and Plates: To secure the bone segments, small plates, and screws are often used. They are made from biocompatible materials, and over time, they are integrated into the bone structure.
Rubber Bands and Wires: In some cases, extra support can be gained by using rubber bands or wires alone or in combination with plates and screws.
5. Closing the incisions
After stabilizing the jaw, the surgeon delicately closes the incisions in the gums or on the face (if used) with absorbable sutures or stitches.
It is a general overview of corrective jaw surgery. The details will vary depending on the type of jaw misalignment being treated and the surgeon’s preferred techniques.
Preparing for Corrective Jaw Surgery
Initial consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a dentist with specialized training in performing surgery on the face and jaws, usually performs the procedure. The surgical procedure may take several hours, and most patients are discharged afterward. Patients need to stay in the hospital for a few days for healing.
Following corrective jaw surgery, recovery can be challenging and long out. Pain, edema, and bruises are possible side effects for patients. They might also have to be on a specific diet for a while.
If you’re considering corrective jaw surgery, it’s important to discuss its benefits and drawbacks with your dentist or surgeon.
Medical and dental evaluations
Presurgical orthodontic treatment and medical and dental evaluations are two of the most important steps in corrective jaw surgery. The medical assessment ensures the patient’s health is suitable for surgery, while the dental evaluation examines the teeth, gums, and bite.
Presurgery orthodontic treatment
Presurgical orthodontic treatment—such as braces or clear aligners—is commonly used to position teeth precisely to achieve the best surgical results. Correct tooth alignment ensures that the teeth align properly after surgery and facilitates more precise and stable jaw relocation during the procedure. Depending on the patient’s specific needs, the duration of orthodontic treatment ranges from several months to a couple of years.
Pre-operative care
Pre-operative care involves eating a soft diet, practicing proper dental hygiene, and knowing as much as possible about the procedure, the healing process, and potential risks. While you recover, you should also arrange for help with domestic duties and transportation. Consult your surgeon and physician about how to proceed with corrective jaw surgery.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Care
Hospital stay and pain management
Post-operative care for corrective jaw surgery can be challenging, but it is manageable. The recovery process includes a hospital stay, pain management, diet restrictions, follow-up appointments, and orthodontic adjustments.
The complicated nature of the procedure and the recovery rate determine how long a patient has to stay. Pain medication is prescribed to ease the discomfort. Swelling and bruises are common. Applying cold compresses might help reduce swelling.
Dietary restrictions and oral hygiene
A soft food diet is recommended for several weeks after surgery to heal the jaw completely. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent infections.
Schedule regular follow-up visits with the dentist and surgeon to check on healing and adjust the post-surgical care plan. If braces or aligners were worn before surgery, orthodontic adjustments might be required.
Resuming normal activities and exercise
Gradually resume everyday tasks and exercise. In some cases, physical therapy might be recommended to improve jaw movement and reduce discomfort. Additional tips include pain management, ice therapy, rest, and emotional support.
Follow-up appointments and orthodontic adjustments
Specific instructions and response times will vary depending on the surgery and the doctor’s recommendations. Following the doctor’s post-operative instructions is necessary for a smooth and successful recovery.
Potential Outcomes and Long-Term Benefits
Corrective jaw surgery addresses functional and aesthetic challenges with jaw misalignment, providing a complete solution.
Improved Aesthetics: More harmonious and symmetrical facial features boost self-confidence.
Enhanced Function: Better chewing, clearer speech, reduced TMJ pain, and improved breathing (in some cases).
Long-term stability and maintenance of results: Proper care and follow-up can achieve stable, long-lasting results. Remember, these are just some of the potential benefits. Consult with a licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine the exact outcomes you might experience.
FAQS
Q. What are the possible risks related to jaw surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery is a major procedure including certain risks such as bleeding, infection, facial numbness or tingling, nerve damage, and difficulty breathing. It’s important to speak about these risks with your surgeon in detail.
Q. Am I a candidate for corrective jaw surgery?
You may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery.
If you have a misaligned jaw, causing problems with your speech, breathing, sleep, or bite, or if you find your facial asymmetry uncomfortable. To find out whether this procedure would be suitable for you, consult with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
How long-lasting will the results of corrective jaw surgery be?
With proper attention and care, corrective jaw surgery can have long-lasting effects. However, practicing proper oral hygiene and scheduling routine dental visits are important to guarantee the long-term health of your jaw and teeth.
Conclusion
Corrective jaw surgery can be a life-changing procedure for people with jaw misalignment. It can improve the function and appearance of the jaw, leading to better speech, breathing, chewing, and self-confidence.
It is important to consult a licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you are thinking about corrective jaw surgery to discuss the procedure’s risks and benefits and determine if it is the right option for you.
