What is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is sometimes called "Surgical Orthodontics" because, just as an orthodontist repositions teeth, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon uses orthognathic surgery to reposition one or both jaws. Just as "orthodontics" means "straight teeth," "orthognathic" means "straight jaws." In fact, because moving the jaws also moves the teeth, orthognathic surgery is usually performed in conjunction with orthodontics so that the teeth are in proper position after surgery. The objective of orthognathic surgery is the correction of a wide range of minor and major facial and jaw irregularities, and benefits include an improved ability to chew, speak and breathe. In many cases an enhanced appearance can also result.

An "open bite" exists if there is space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.

Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?

People who can potentially benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite and those with jaws that are positioned incorrectly. Jaw growth is a slow and gradual process, and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaw and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics alone can correct many "bite" problems if only the teeth are involved, orthognathic surgery may be required if the jaws also need repositioning.

Candidates for orthognathic surgery can suffer from "retrognathia" or a receding lower jaw, often called a weak chin.

The following are some of the conditions that may indicate a need for orthognathic surgery:

• difficulty chewing or biting food
• difficulty swallowing
• speech problem
• chronic jaw pain
• excessive wearing of teeth
• open bite (space between upper and lower
• front or back teeth when mouth is closed)
• unbalanced facial appearance
• facial injury or birth defects
• receding chin
• protruding jaw
• inability to make lips meet without effort
• chronic mouth breathing with dry mouth
• sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping such as snoring, difficulty breathing, etc.

Unequal growth of the jaws, injury or birth defects can produce problems and symptoms that require treatment by a team that usually includes an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an orthodontist, and sometimes your dentist. In order to determine if you are a candidate for orthognathic surgery, an evaluation of your condition by this team is necessary.

A prognathic jaw occurs when the lower jaw is overdeveloped and protrudes out beyond the upper jaw.

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