Also known as: CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERY

Most people that have a misalignment of their teeth can be treated with orthodontic braces alone.

However, some misalignments are quite severe due to an underlying “skeletal problem” where the jaw bones are either too small or too large or a combination of the 2.

In these cases, orthodontic treatment alone will not give a pleasing result, and it will be necessary to have surgery as well.

What is corrective jaw surgery?

The size and position of your jaws is what determines the position of your teeth. If your facial bones and jaws don’t grow correctly, your teeth will likely not fit together properly.

When there is abnormal facial growth, your jaws can either be too large or too small.

This can cause problems with: eating, speaking, breathing. It can also cause problems with confidence and can result in an impaired quality of life. 

Corrective jaw surgery can dramatically improve function and improve confidence by correcting the position of your jaws.

Am I a candidate for corrective jaw surgery?

If orthodontics alone cannot fix your bite, then corrective jaw surgery should be considered.

Surgery usually takes place once your facial growth is complete which is usually during late teens or in adulthood.

Signs that may indicate a need for surgery include:

• Severe underbite

This is when your bottom jaw protrudes further forward than your upper jaw. The cause of this could either be an oversized lower jaw, an undersized upper jaw or a combination of the 2.

• Severe overbite

This is when your bottom jaw is too short and doesn’t meet your upper jaw. This can result in sleep apnea and is usually due to an undersized lower jaw.

• Open bite

This happens when your top and bottom front teeth don’t touch when your jaws are closed. This causes eating and speech difficulty. This may be caused by habits such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting. 

• Uneven/asymmetric jaws

This can be caused by uneven jaw bone and facial bone growth and can result in facial asymmetry, crooked jaws and difficulty in eating. 

What are the benefits of corrective jaw surgery?

• Eat better
• Speech improvement
• Can reduce risk of jaw joint and muscle dysfunction
• Improve breathing by “opening up” your airway
• Improved confidence and appearance

What are the steps in treatment?

Corrective jaw surgery is very much a team sport – which means that not only 1 specialist can treat the problem. It requires involvement of an orthodontist, maxillo facial surgeon, dentist, oral hygienist, physiotherapist and sometimes a speech therapist. 

Evaluation –

This is a detailed assessment of your medical history and overall health, as well as an examination of your face and jaws. This will include: xrays, scans, impressions of your teeth, photographs and counselling on surgery. 

During this visit, your surgeon will go through the surgical procedure with you and will outline the recovery and healing process. You will also have a chance to ask questions and to find out about possible alternative forms of treatment.

It is always a good idea to consult with a surgeon early on and preferably after seeing an orthodontist, but before starting orthodontic treatment. This gives the you, the orthodontist and the surgeon a chance to cover all the aspects of your potential treatment before you proceed.

You will also need to consider the costs involved, as most medical aid providers do not cover corrective jaw surgery in full or at all.

Pre-surgical orthodontics –

This is done to align your teeth in an optimal position within the jaw bones. Any misalignment, compensations and jaw arch discrepencies are corrected. Your orthodontist and surgeon will remain in communication during this phase of treatment to ensure that your treatment is progressing well.

Surgery –

This takes place under general anesthesia, and you will most likely stay in hospital for 1-2 days afterwards to make sure that you are recovering well after the surgery. During the surgery, your jaws (either the top, bottom or both, and possibly your chin) will be loosened and repositioned in a more favourable position according to a predetermined plan. This plan can involve the use of 3D printed models and splints to ensure the best possible result. 

All the cuts that are made are donw inside your mouth and the jaw bones are repositioned in their new position using titanium plates and screws. All wounds are stitched closed and compression dressings are applied, in addition to ice packs after the surgery. You will also have guiding elastics placed to help your jaws acclimatize to their new position.

Recovery –

You will spend 1-2 days in hospital. thereafter you will recover at home for 2 weeks before going back to work or school. During the 1^st 3 weeks you will visit your surgeon once a week for a checkup and cleaning and to replace elastics. 

It is advisable to see a physiotherapist for at least 2 sessions to assist with jaw mobility, muscle inflammation and to help with bringing the facial swelling down.

You will see your orthodontist 2-3 weeks after your surgery to commence with the post-surgical phase of your treatment.

You will stick to soft foods for 6 weeks while your jaw bones heal. 

Post-surgical orthodontics –

This is done to finalize the position of your teeth and usually lasts 3-6 months.

If you are considering corrective jaw surgery or if you want to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact us or book an appointment