|
What is Orthognathic
Surgery?
Orthognathic Surgery is
also called Surgical Orthodontics.
Some people have jaws which are too large, too small,
or even asymmetric. Often times these
functional or cosmetic discrepancies are beyond that which
standard orthodontic treatment can predictably and
successfully treat. When this is the case,
these patients will benefit from corrective jaw
surgery. This treatment will lead to a
stable, functional and often extremely esthetic
result.
Surgical orthodontics involves a
collaborative process between your oral and maxillofacial
surgeon and orthodontist. In most cases you
will require a period of time of preparatory orthodontic
treatment prior to your jaw surgery. Your
surgical procedure(s) would then be followed by a period of
fine tuning orthodontics before the braces are
removed.
Proper planning for this type of treatment involves
diagnostic work, including photographs, Xrays and models of
your teeth. With this information, we can
accurately diagnose your jaw size discrepancy and plan your
treatment completely. The collection of
diagnostic information is usually gathered by both the surgeon
and orthodontist.
 
Before
Surgery After
Surgery
How is the surgery
performed?
The vast majority of
orthognathic surgery is performed comfortably and safely in a
hospital setting under general anesthesia.
All incisions are made within the mouth, avoiding any
extraoral scarring. Precise cuts are made
within the jaw bones in order to allow movement of the tooth
bearing portions of the jaws into the correct and stable
position. Once the jaws have been properly
aligned, they are then stabilized with small titanium plates
and screws (pins). This will then allow you
to avoid having your jaws “wired together”; as was done
routinely a short time ago.
An average
hospitalization would involve one to two days.
What would I expect after my jaw
surgery?
You will usually
appreciate facial swelling and bruising following your jaw
surgery, which would peak 3-5 days after the
procedure. With this swelling you will
appreciate discomfort, usually well controlled with a
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Motrin or Tylenol) or
common narcotic mixture (Percocet or Vicodin).
The majority of this swelling will subside within the
first 7-10 days.
You will be limited to a
pureed type of diet as directed by a licensed nutritionist for
a 4 week period. Normal dietary function
would soon follow this.
Your activity level will
be limited to non-contact types of behavior for 4
weeks.
Can my insurance cover my
surgery?
As treatment for skeletal
jaw discrepancies is a medical issue, it is not
covered by your dental
insurance. It is often a covered benefit,
however, under most medical insurances. In
order for this to occur, a complete diagnostic evaluation
needs to be sent to your medical insurance.
Our doctors are extremely experienced with this process
and will routinely complete this evaluation so that you may
enjoy this insurance benefit.
We understand that this can be an
intimidating treatment, but we know that a proper knowledge of
the current concepts of orthognathic surgery will alleviate
most anxiety.
We look forward to
sharing this information and process with you and your family.
| 
