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Orthognatic Surgery
 Orthognatic
surgery refers to the surgical repositioning of the maxilla,
mandible, and the dentoalveolar segments to achieve facial
and occlusal balance.
One or more segments of the jaw can be simultaneously
repositioned to treat various types of malocclusions and jaw
deformities.
Orthognatic Treatment
Preoperative diagnosis and planning for patients
with jaw asymmetries and deformities is first done by the
Pedodontist/Orthodontist in coordination with the craniofacial
surgeon. All findings are analyzed and pre-surgical model
surgery performed to ascertain the feasibility of various
treatment options.
Usually, pre-surgical orthodontics are necessary
to straighten the teeth and align the arches so that a stable
occlusion can be obtained post-operatively, while orthodontics
following surgery are frequently required to revise minor
occlusal discrepancies.
Orthognathic surgery is often delayed until
after all of the permanent teeth have erupted unless medical
conditions necessitate that the surgery be performed earlier.
In adult patients, orthognathic surgery can be combined with
soft tissue contouring to improve the aesthetic results.
Maxillary advancement is a type of orthognathic
surgery that may be necessary to improve the facial contour
and normalize dental occlusion when there is a relative deficiency
of the midface region. This is done by surgically moving the
maxilla with sophisticated bone mobilization techniques and
fixing it securely into place.
Depending on the soft tissue profile of the
face or the severity of an occlusal discrepancy, problems
with the lower face may require surgery on the mandible. This
can be done in conjunction with or separate from maxillary
surgery. The mandible can be advanced, set back, tilted or
augmented with bone grafts. A combination of these procedures
may be necessary.
Pre-operative planning is crucial to the success
of the procedure and evaluates the surgical and orthodontic
options. The surgeon chooses the type of mandibular surgery
based on his experience, evaluation of the photographic and
cephalometric analysis, and model surgery.
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