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Orthognatic surgery
Surgical orthodontics, also known as
orthognathic surgery, is a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct
severe cases that include bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusion.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on treating complex craniofacial
cases that involve the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. Your orthodontist
will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to ensure that, if
you need surgical orthodontics, you receive the best care possible.
When might surgical orthodontics be needed?
Surgical orthodontics may be used to treat adults with improper bites
or other aesthetic concerns. Typically, jaw growth stops by age 16
in females and 18 in males. In order to receive orthognathic surgery,
the jaw must be finished growing. The need for surgical orthodontics
occurs when the jaws do not line up correctly, and a proper bite cannot
be achieved with orthodontic treatment alone.
How do I know
if I need orthognathic surgery?
Your orthodontist can tell you if orthognathic surgery is needed as
part of your treatment. Depending on the severity of your case and
the alignment of your jaw, you may or may not need surgery.
How does orthognathic surgery work?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon will perform your orthognathic surgery,
which will take place in a hospital. Orthognathic surgery can take
several hours depending on each individual case. Once the surgery
is complete, you will have about a two-four week rest period. Since
orthognathic surgery is a major treatment, we recommend you schedule
some time away from work and school for the healing process. After
your jaw has healed, your orthodontist will once again “fine-tune”
your bite. After surgery, you will have to continue to wear braces.
Most braces are removed within six to 12 months following surgery.
After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to help maintain
your new smile.
What types of bites may benefit from jaw surgery?
Mandibular
Advancement
For patients with a short mandible the chin may appear set back or
weak in appearance. This short lower jaw bone typically results in
excessive space between the top and bottom front teeth and they do
not touch when the patient bites down normally. To correct this, the
Oral Surgeon would surgically reposition the lower jaw forward and
bring balance to the facial profile and allow all the teeth to touch
when the patient bites down.
Mandibular
Setback
This jaw size imbalance is caused by excessive lower jaw bone growth,
causing an underbite. In this situation it is impossible for people
to bite with their front teeth (depending on the severity) as they
cannot touch. To correct this jaw size discrepancy the Oral Surgeon
would shorten the lower jaw bone and in essence push it backwards.
Maxillary
Impaction (Gummy Smile)
Some people show excessive gingival tissue both at rest and when they
smile (gummy smile). This may be caused by a number of factors. If
it is due to excessive downward growth of the Maxilla, then that jawbone
can be reposition upwards to give a more pleasing appearance.
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Mosman Park Orthodontics 
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