If facial growth and development do not proceed in a normal and harmonious manner through the developmental years of childhood and adolescence, then jaws may not achieve the proper relationship or alignment. These growth disharmonies can present an individual with varying degrees of functional and cosmetic problems. When the jaws are not in functionally harmonious positions, it adversely affects the occlusion (the bite), facial symmetry and aesthetics as well as the health of the temporomandibular joint. Problematic jaw relationships can even make eating, speaking, and normal breathing more difficult.
Orthodontic treatment alone is often insufficient to address all the issues caused by these improper or disproportionate jaw relationships. Orthognathic surgery, also known as, corrective jaw surgery, is sometimes necessary to help address these skeletal and dental irregularities. If the amount of discrepancy between the jaws is too great, problems will occur if it is attempted to be corrected by orthodontics alone.
Orthognathic surgery may consist of work on the upper jaw (maxilla) the lower jaw (mandible) or both (double jaw surgery). The maxillary surgery is called a LeFort procedure, usually a LeFort I. The mandibular surgery is most often a BSSO (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy) of the mandible. During the surgery, the jaw can be moved up, down, forward, back and tiled, canted or turned slightly or it can be widened or narrowed. In the old days, patients were wired shut. Today, our surgeons do not wire patients shut.
Orthognathic surgery involves a team approach to care with an orthodontist preparing and finalizing the alignment of the teeth, along with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to treatment plan and perform the corrective jaw procedures. If needed, other specialists may be involved in treating the patient to address any additional dental or medical issues necessary to achieve the best functional and cosmetic result.
The results from orthognathic surgery can be striking. Look at these before and after pictures (Coming Soon).
Serving the Following Cities
Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Evans, Berthoud, Windsor, Timnath, Johnstown, Milliken, Severance, Ault, Wellington, Estes Park, Longmont, Mead, Firestone, Fort Morgan, Sterling, Cheyenne, Laramie
