What is Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a surgical procedure that realigns jaw and teeth. The objective of corrective jaw surgery is to correct a wide range of minor and major facial and jaw irregularities, improve the bite and ability to chew, speak, and breathe. In many cases, the enhanced appearance also results in improved confidence and self-esteem.

In many cases you Dentist or Orthodontist will refer you if you need Corrective Jaw Surgery, often when it is felt braces alone will not give the best outcome.

The surgery is performed by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who will work together with your orthodontist to determine the best treatment plan for you.

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

• 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.)

How can Corrective Jaw Surgery help you?

If your dentist or orthodontist has recommended you for Orthognathic Surgery, it is likely you are a good candidate for the procedure. During your consultation the surgery will be discussed and computer simulations prepared to visualize your expected result.

If you would like to learn more about the procedure and what it would mean for your personal case, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr Mehanna or Dr Yang. As specialised Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, with both Dental and Medical degrees, you can be assured the best of care.

Recovery

Usually, patients are in hospital for 1-2 days. You will need to follow a puree or liquid diet for the first two weeks and slowly progress to a normal diet by 6 weeks. At that point, your orthodontist will complete the final subtle adjustments to the bite and complete your treatment.

As with any operation, certain side effects and complications are possible. Fortunately, these are rare but will be explained to you carefully prior to your treatment.