Corrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery is performed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 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 chewing, speaking and breathing. While the patient's appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems.

What an Orthognathic Surgery Can Do

Corrective jaw surgery is used to correct many conditions and can be an effective surgery to treat mulitple problems at once.

Correcting an Open Bite

Some of the bone in the upper tooth-bearing portion of the jaw is removed. The upper jaw is then secured in position with plates and screws.

Correcting a Protruding Lower Jaw

The bone in the rear portion of the jaw is separated from the front portion and modified so that the tooth-bearing portion of the lower jaw can be moved back for proper alignment.

Correcting a Receding Lower Jaw or "Weak Chin"

The bone in the lower portion of the jaw is separated from its base and modified. The tooth-bearing portion of the lower jaw and a portion of the chin are repositioned forward.

Best Candidates for Corrective Jaw Surgery

People 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 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.

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

• difficulty chewing, or biting food
• difficulty swallowing
• chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
• excessive wear of the teeth
• open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
• unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side
• facial injury or birth defects
• receding chin
• protruding jaw
• inability to make the lips meet without straining
• chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
• sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

Candidates Diagnosed with TMJ

The TMJ or temporomandibular joint, along with other muscles, is used for every movement of our mouth. This joint makes it possible to open and close our mouth, as well as speak, chew, and swallow food. Because this joint attaches directly to our skulls, any dysfunction in the joint will radiate outward and affect the rest of the head. This is the main reason that so many people suffer from headaches and migraines when they have bad jaw placement. This can lead to something called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

A misaligned jaw is sometimes hard to see without the help of an experienced neuromuscular dentist.

A few of the most common reasons that a jaw is misaligned are:

• An overbite : This is probably the most common problem leading to TMD or temporomandibular disorder. This problem is typically the easiest to see because you will notice that your lower teeth fit too far back under your top teeth. The amount of which can be minute to drastically noticeable.
• Previous orthodontic procedures : While orthodontic treatments will straighten and align teeth, they don't align or address problems that may reside in the jaw or joint function. Recent studies show that nearly half of all people who complete an orthodontic treatment process will have jaw problems which can lead to many of the symptoms related to TMD.
• The use of dentures or partials : These devices do not offer any support to your jaws and they sometimes don't offer a great replacement for the loss of teeth. People who wear these types of devices have a higher risk of wearing down their jaw joints.

A neuromuscular dentist can treat TMD using computerized technology and thorough examination. If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from headaches, migraines, other symptoms related to TMD, visit a neuromuscular dentist.

Is an Orthognathic For Me?

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. It is important to understand that your treatment, which will probably include orthodontics before and after surgery, may take several years to complete. Your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and orthodontist understand that this is a long-term commitment for you and your family.They will try to realistically estimate the time required for your treatment.

Corrective jaw surgery may reposition all or part of the upper jaw, lower jaw and chin. When you are fully informed about your case and your treatment options, you and your dental team will determine the course of treatment that is best for you.

Preparing for Corrective Jaw Surgery

Before your surgery, orthodontic braces move the teeth into a new position. Because your teeth are being moved into a position that will fit together after surgery, you may at first think your bite is getting worse rather than better. When your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon repositions your jaws during surgery, however, your teeth should fit together properly.

As your pre-surgical orthodontic treatment nears completion, additional or updated records, including x-rays, pictures and models of your teeth, may be taken to help guide your surgery.

Orthognathic Surgery Overview

Depending on the procedure, corrective jaw surgery may be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center or in the oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Surgery may take from one to several hours to complete.

Your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon will reposition the jawbones in accordance with your specific needs. In some cases, bone may be added, taken away or reshaped. Surgical plates, screws, wires and rubber bands may be used to hold your jaws in their new positions. Incisions are usually made inside the mouth to reduce visible scarring; however, some cases do require small incisions outside of the mouth. When this is necessary, care is taken to minimize their appearance.

Jaw Surgery Results

Corrective jaw surgery moves your teeth and jaws into positions that are more balanced, functional and healthy. Although the goal of this surgery is to improve your bite and function, some patients also experience enhancements to their appearance and speech. The results of corrective jaw surgery can have a dramatic and positive effect on many aspects of your life. So make the most of the new you!

Corrective Jaw Surgery Recovery

After surgery, your surgeon will provide instructions for a modified diet, which may include solids and liquids, as well as a schedule for transitioning to a normal diet. You may also be asked to refrain from using tobacco products and avoid strenuous physical activity.

Pain following corrective jaw surgery is easily controlled with medication and patients are generally able to return to work or school from one to three weeks after surgery, depending on how they are feeling. While the initial healing phase is about six weeks, complete healing of the jaws takes between nine and 12 months.

Possible Risks of Arm Lift Surgery

Although arm lift surgery is a relatively safe procedure, there are certain risks that you must be aware of before deciding to go through with the operation.

Possible arm lift surgery risks include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Fluid accumulation
• Anesthesia risks
• Poor wound healing
• Skin loss
• Blood clots
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• Asymmetry
• Major wound separation
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs
• Pain, which may persist
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
• Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

NOTE: It's very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your arm lift procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.