The glossaryof terms relating to orthognathic surgery and surgical orthodontics for patients is an invaluable tool that offers numerous benefits:
- It makes the process easier to understand: Orthognathic surgery and surgical orthodontics are complex specialities involving medical terms that can be difficult to understand. This glossary provides clear and accessible explanations, enabling patients to familiarise themselves with the vocabulary and better understand the concepts and procedures involved in their treatment.
- It reduces anxiety: Uncertainty and a lack of knowledge often cause anxiety in patients. Having a resource they can consult to look up unfamiliar terms enables them to understand each stage of the process and any potential complications, which reduces their anxiety and gives them greater control over their experience.
- Improves doctor-patient communication: By having a basic understanding of the terms used in their treatment, patients can ask more informed questions, which facilitates smoother and more effective communication with the surgeon and the medical team. This helps to build a relationship of trust and confidence between the patient and their doctor.
- Empowers patients in their decision-making process: Orthognathic surgery involves important decisions, such as choosing the type of treatment or understanding potential complications. By understanding the terms and procedures, patients are better prepared to make informed decisions and feel confident in their choice.
- It provides an accessible and ongoing resource: Patients can consult the glossary at any time during their treatment. This allows them to look up terms or procedures independently, providing a continuous reference without having to rely solely on consultations with their doctor to resolve any queries.
In summary, the patient dictionary is an educational resource that helps to improve patients’ experience of the orthognathic surgery process, ensuring they feel informed, empowered and understood at every stage of their treatment.
A
- Facial Asymmetry: Misalignment or unevenness in the shape and proportions of the face. Orthognathic surgery can correct asymmetries caused by discrepancies in the size or position of the jaws, improving both function and aesthetics.
- Dental Agenesis: Congenital absence of one or more teeth. In surgical orthodontics, agenesis may require special tooth movements or the use of dental implants following surgery.
B
- Brackets: Devices used in orthodontics to move and align the teeth. They are essential in pre- and post-surgical orthodontic treatment to achieve optimal occlusion in combination with orthognathic surgery.
- Bad Split: A complication that may occur during a mandibular osteotomy in which the bone fractures in an uncontrolled manner, which may require further surgical adjustments.
C
- Class II: A malocclusion in which the upper jaw is positioned too far forward in relation to the lower jaw, which can result in an incorrect bite. Orthognathic surgery in these cases aims to reposition the upper or lower jaw to achieve correct alignment.
- Class III: A malocclusion in which the lower jaw is positioned forward of the upper jaw, resulting in a reverse bite. In orthognathic surgery, correction involves advancing the upper jaw, retracting the lower jaw, or both.
- Bimaxillary surgery: A surgical procedure involving both the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This surgery enables the correction of complex misalignments affecting both bones and improves facial harmony.
- Condylar Sag: A condition in which the head of the mandibular condyle loses its position or shifts following surgery, which can affect the bite and facial symmetry. It is considered a complication of orthognathic surgery.
- Facial Cryotherapy: A technique involving the application of cold to the face to reduce inflammation, manage pain and minimise post-operative oedema. It is commonly used as part of post-operative care following orthognathic surgery.
D
- Mandibular Deviation: A displacement of the lower jaw to one side, resulting in facial asymmetry. This can be corrected through orthognathic surgery to realign the jaw.
- Osteogenic Distraction: A surgical technique that stimulates bone growth, particularly useful in patients with significant bone deficiencies in the maxilla or mandible. It is used in some cases of orthognathic surgery when it is necessary to gradually lengthen the bone.
E
- Maxillary Expansion: A procedure to increase the width of the upper jaw. It can be performed surgically to correct a crossbite or improve dental alignment in patients with narrow jaws.
F
- Intermediate Surgical Splint: A device fitted during orthognathic surgery to guide the movement and initial alignment of the jaws. It serves as a guide during the early stages of the procedure to ensure correct positioning.
- Final Surgical Splint: A splint fitted towards the end of orthognathic surgery to secure the final position of the jaws. It is crucial for achieving precise alignment and the desired occlusion.
- Rigid Fixation: A technique in which plates and screws are used to hold the jawbones in their new position following osteotomy. This fixation provides greater stability and shortens recovery time.
G
- Genioplasty: Surgery performed on the chin to correct its shape, position or size. It is commonly combined with orthognathic surgery to achieve greater facial harmony.
- Intermaxillary elastics: Elastic bands used in orthodontics to adjust and stabilise the bite following orthognathic surgery. They help to maintain the position of the jaws during the post-operative phase.
L
- Le Fort I: A type of osteotomy (bone cut) in the upper jaw, used to reposition it vertically, anteroposteriorly or transversely. It is one of the most common procedures in orthognathic surgery to correct problems with occlusion and facial symmetry.
- Segmented Le Fort: A variant of the Le Fort I in which the upper jaw is segmented into several parts. This allows for a more precise adjustment in cases requiring correction of width or height, and improves dental and facial harmony.
- Meniscus dislocation: Displacementof the meniscus in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can cause pain, clicking and problems with mouth opening. Orthognathic surgery can help to improve symptoms in some cases.
M
- Malocclusion: Incorrect alignment of the teeth and/or jaws that affects the bite. Class II and Class III malocclusions are common types that are usually corrected with orthognathic surgery and orthodontics.
- Mentoplasty: Surgery on the chin to improve its projection and shape. In orthognathic surgery, mentoplasty may be performed alongside other procedures to achieve a more harmonious facial profile.
O
- Occlusion: The contact relationship between the teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw when the mouth is closed. Correct occlusion is essential for masticatory function and the health of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Functional Orthodontics: A form of treatment that uses removable appliances to stimulate the correct growth and development of the jaws in children and adolescents. It is useful in the treatment of malocclusions and in preparation for possible orthognathic surgery in the future.
- Pre-surgical Orthodontics: A stage of orthodontic treatment that prepares the teeth and jaws for orthognathic surgery, aligning them in the ideal position for a correct occlusion following surgery.
- Post-surgical Orthodontics: Orthodontic treatment carried out after orthognathic surgery to adjust the teeth and stabilise the bite. This stage is crucial for achieving optimal and long-lasting results.
- Orthognathic Surgery with Clear Aligners: A method of pre- and post-surgical orthodontic treatment that uses aligners instead of braces to align the teeth. It is an aesthetic and functional option for patients who prefer a more discreet treatment.
- Osteotomy: A surgical procedure in which a section of bone is removed. In orthognathic surgery, it is performed to reshape the bone and facilitate the movement and alignment of the jaws.
- Osteotomy: A cut made in the bone to alter its position. In orthognathic surgery, osteotomies are performed on the maxilla and/or mandible to correct bite problems and improve facial symmetry.
P
- Paraesthesia: A sensation of numbness or loss of sensation in a specific area, such as the lip or chin, which may occur temporarily following orthognathic surgery. It is caused by stretching or damage to the nerves during the procedure.
- Pseudoarthrosis: A complication in which the bone does not fuse properly after an osteotomy, creating a ‘false joint’ that can lead to unwanted mobility in the operated area. It requires further treatment to ensure bone stability.
R
- Retrognathism: A condition in which the upper jaw or lower jaw is set back further than normal, affecting facial alignment and the bite. Orthognathic surgery can advance these bones to achieve balanced alignment.
S
- SARME (Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion): A surgical technique to widen the upper jaw in adult patients, where bone growth is already complete. This procedure facilitates the orthopaedic expansion required for correct alignment.
- SARPE (Surgical-Assisted Palatal Expansion): Similar to SARME, this is performed on the upper jaw to widen the palate and correct crossbites in adults. It involves the use of an expansion appliance to achieve the desired results.
- Digital Simulation (Virtual Surgical Planning – VSP): The use of 3D technology to plan orthognathic surgery and predict aesthetic and functional outcomes. It allows treatment to be personalised and bone movements to be adjusted according to the patient’s needs.
- Surgery First: A technique in which orthognathic surgery is performed before orthodontic treatment. It allows for a faster aesthetic recovery and reduces the overall duration of treatment, as tooth movements are
Article written by the Birbe Editorial Committee
