Orthognathic Surgery

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Before and after Orthognathic Surgery

The smile is an important aspect of our appearance. An attractive, beautiful smile can be a personal asset at work and in private life.

Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) can improve your smile by improving the lower facial proportion and profile, altering the smile arc, and assisting in the correction of malocclusion in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.

Pre-surgical Evaluation & Planning

With the advent of virtual surgery planning, orthognathic surgery can be planned and executed more precisely. After the initial office visit where your surgical goals and expectations are discussed, a CT of your facial bone is obtained. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) will be performed on a computer simulation program based on the facial bone CT. The expected final surgical outcome will be fine-tuned and visualized, and custom-made surgical cutting guides and fixation plates can be made.

Surgery will be performed by making incisions inside the mouth to expose the upper and lower jaws (maxilla and mandible) Bone cuts of the maxilla (LeFort I osteotomy) and mandible (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy) are made. After manipulating them into their desired position, titanium plates and screws are used for fixation. In some cases, a bone cut on the chin bone (genioplasty) is made to improve the facial profile. All intraoral incisions are closed with no external surgical scars.

Recovery Time

Orthognathic surgery usually takes four to six hours to complete. You will stay overnight at one of our hospitals. Swelling of the face typically subsides within four to six weeks. You can have a liquid after surgery and slowly transition into a regular diet. Patients can return to normal non-contact activity after 4 weeks of limited activity. We will be available for post-operative appointments to ensure the best results. The pre-surgical planning and post-surgical care will be coordinated with your orthodontist.

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