Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw or orthognathic surgery is performed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeons, to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities (Credit: Ran)

Corrective jaw or orthognathic surgery is performed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeons, to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth to improve chewing, speaking and breathing.

The conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery include difficulty in chewing or biting food; difficulty in swallowing; chronic jaw or TMJ pain; excessive wear of teeth; open bite; unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side; and, facial injury or birth defects. The need for corrective jaw surgery can also be indicated by a receding chin, protruding jaw, the inability to make the lips meet without straining, chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth and sleep apnea.

Your dentist, orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon will work together to determine whether you are a candidate for corrective jaw or orthognathic surgery. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon determines which corrective jaw surgical procedure is appropriate and performs the actual surgery.

Corrective jaw surgery may reposition all or part of the upper jaw, lower jaw and chin. Before your surgery, orthodontic braces move the teeth into a new position. When your oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions your jaws during, however, your teeth should fit together properly.

Before surgery, orthodontic braces move the teeth into a new position and as your pre-surgical orthodontic treatment nears completion, x-rays, pictures and models of your teeth, may be taken to help guide your surgery. Corrective jaw surgery may take anywhere from one hour to several hours to complete.

The oral and maxillofacial surgeon will reposition the jawbones in accordance with your specific needs – bones may be added, taken away or reshaped and surgical plates, screws, wires and rubber bands may be used to hold your jaws in their new positions.

Pain following corrective jaw surgery is controlled with medication and patients are able to return to work or school after 1-3 weeks after surgery. The end result of corrective jaw surgery is that your teeth and jaws are more balanced, functional and healthy.