Orthognathic surgery is a type of reconstructive surgery that corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the lower jaw and the upper jaw. As well as having an aesthetic impact on the chin, the facial profile and, therefore, the face as a whole, it also improves essential functions such as breathing and chewing. Find out what it is and what it involves, when it should be carried out and how it can help you.
How to tell if you need orthognathic surgery
Let’s start by explaining the term ‘orthognathic’. It comes from Greek: ‘orto’ means straight and ‘gnathos’ means jaw. Broadly speaking, the aim of orthognathic surgery is to align the lower and upper jaws in cases where they exhibit malformations or misalignments that cannot be corrected by traditional orthodontics.
These irregularities can have various causes. In some cases they are congenital, in others they develop over time, and they may also arise following an injury.
You may find yourself in one of these situations and be wondering whether orthognathic surgery could benefit you or not. To help you make up your mind, we’ll explain the main symptoms that indicate the need for this procedure. However, before reading on, you should be aware that symptoms can manifest in different ways, depending on the type of malformation and its severity.
These are the most common symptoms indicating a possible need for orthognathic surgery:
- Malocclusion: incorrect alignment of the teeth when the mouth is closed. This causes problems with the bite, prevents you from chewing food properly and affects oral health.
- Difficulty closing the lips completely and easily.
- Sleep apnoea or breathing difficulties during the night. This causes loud snoring, pauses in breathing, a dry mouth and headaches upon waking, irritability, lack of concentration…
- Facial pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders , which affect the joints and the muscles used for chewing.
- An unbalanced or asymmetrical facial appearance, either in profile or from the front.
- Excessive tooth wear.
- Speech problems.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you may need orthognathic surgery. Before undergoing the procedure, we recommend that you consult a maxillofacial surgeon to determine whether you require it.
A procedure that improves quality of life
Any orthognathic surgery treatment begins when the surgeon and the patient meet for the first time. The initial consultation is crucial for the surgeon to understand the patient’s full needs and their specific case, as well as to discuss expectations and aspirations. This is an essential step in order to reach a correct diagnosis, provide a personalised treatment plan and achieve the best results.
The surgeon will choose the most suitable orthognathic surgery for you, as there are different types. Monomaxillary surgery involves moving either the upper jaw or the lower jaw – only one of the two. In bimaxillary surgery, however, more significant facial changes are achieved because both the upper jaw and the lower jaw are repositioned.
A third type is segmental maxillary surgery, which is recommended when the palate is narrow and causes a crossbite. It involves segmenting the upper jaw to widen it and can be carried out as part of either monomaxillary or bimaxillary surgery.
There is also what is known as ‘surgery first’, which involves carrying out the surgery first and then the orthodontic treatment, as not all patients are suitable candidates for this type of orthognathic surgery.
Regardless of the type of procedure, our specialist will carry out a thorough assessment to plan it with the utmost precision, thereby maximising positive outcomes.
During the pre-surgical assessment and planning phase, detailed analyses of the patient’s facial structure will be carried out using the most advanced technology. These are comprehensive studies that provide a complete understanding of the patient’s anatomy and specific needs.
All orthognathic surgery is accompanied by surgical orthodontic treatment. At our centre, we have specialists in both fields who work in perfect coordination to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient.
Once the surgical preparation and planning phases have been completed, the patient will be ready for the operation. This procedure, whilst requiring proven skill on the part of the surgeon, also demands meticulous coordination with the entire team to ensure that the objectives are met.
You already know a great deal about orthognathic surgery: what it is, the symptoms and the treatment, but you’re bound to still have some doubts and questions. Take the step that will improve your quality of life. Get in touch with us, book an initial no-obligation consultation and we’ll provide you with a detailed quote. You can call us on 34 932 124 737, send us a WhatsApp message on 34 626852363 or email us at clinica@birbe.org.
Article written by the Birbe Editorial Committee
