Corrective Jaw or Orthognathic Surgery

Jaw growth is a slow and gradual process, and occasionally the over development or underdevelopment of either jaw may occur.  This may result in someone's jaws not fitting together properly, or being misaligned.  This may be due to many factors like genetics, growth abnormalities, or accidents.   This can lead to issues like difficulty chewing, speaking, even  Breathing, As well as aesthetic concerns .

Orthognathic surgery is a specialised type of surgery performed by oral surgeons like myself.  This type of surgery focusses on fixing problems with the alignment of your jaws.  The goal is to make sure your upper and lower jaws fit together properly. this can involve moving either the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to create a more balanced and functional bite.

A common scenario is that someone has an under bite.  This is where their lower jaw jets out further than their upper jaw. this can cause trouble with chewing and might affect their appearance too.  an oral surgeon who specialises in orthognathic surgery can carefully plan a procedure to move the lower jaw back into its right position. This not only improves how their bite works but also enhances their facial  Appearance.

The surgery itself is usually done inside the mouth, so you won't have any visible scars on your face.   During the surgery you'll be given general anaesthesia to ensure you're comfortable and pain free.  We make precise cuts in the jaw bones, Move them into their correct positions based upon our careful planning, and then secure them in their new position using tiny screws, plates, or other special techniques. After the surgery, there is usually a period of healing, during which you need to eat softer foods and be gentle with your jaws.  As you heal, you'll start to notice improvements in how your mouth functions and your face looks. breathing, chewing, speaking, and even your overall appearance can be positively impacted by the corrected jaw alignment.

The first step is to be evaluated by a board certified oral surgeon who specialises in orthognathic surgery.  At that time we will thoroughly examine your face, jaws, and teeth using x-rays, photographs, 3 dimensional scans, And sometimes even computer simulations.  This helps us understand the extent of the misalignment of your jaws and help plan the surgery.

Orthognantic surgery  Can truly be life-changing for those who need it.  It can make a big difference in how someone's face looks and how their jaws function.  But, it's not just about improving appearances, its also about helping people lead healthier, more comfortable lives.