Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Corrective Jaw Surgery
(Orthognathic Surgery)

Corrective jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery is the surgery that corrects the deformities of the jaw bones and repositions them with the teeth to improve their functioning.

The jaws are lengthened or shortened, moved up or down, in or out, resulting in a more harmonious bite and enhances facial esthetics.

Candidates for Jaw Surgery

Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery):

Protruding jaws
Protruding chin (genioplasty)
Receding chin
Chins that are too short or too tall
Misaligned or asymmetrical chins
Abnormal dental bite
Severe open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
Unbalanced facial appearance
Facial injury
Accidental trauma to the jaw bones
Birth defects
Severe jaw deformities due to habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing.
Sleep apnoea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

Candidates for Jaw Surgery

Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery):

Protruding jaws
Protruding chin (genioplasty)
Receding chin
Chins that are too short or too tall
Misaligned or asymmetrical chins
Abnormal dental bite
Severe open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
Unbalanced facial appearance
Facial injury
Accidental trauma to the jaw bones
Birth defects
Severe jaw deformities due to habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing.
Sleep apnoea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

The surgery requires pre-surgical orthodontics to align the teeth independently in each jaw. Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry concerned with the positioning of the jaws and teeth. When the surgery is done and the jaws are aligned, then post-surgical orthodontics finishes the alignment of the teeth into the optimal occlusion (bite)

Benefits of Jaw Surgery

Correcting the alignment of your jaws and teeth with jaw surgery can result in:

The balanced appearance of your lower face enhances facial esthetics.
Improved functioning of your teeth
Health benefits including improved sleep, breathing, chewing, and swallowing.
Improvement in speech impairments.

Secondary benefits of jaw surgery may include:

Improved self-esteem