Jaw surgery, medically known as orthognathic surgery, is a procedure designed to correct irregularities of the jaw bones and misaligned teeth. The procedure aims to enhance jaw function and facial balance. Corrective jaw surgery significantly alters facial appearance by addressing underlying skeletal discrepancies that affect facial harmony and symmetry. While often performed to improve biting, chewing, speaking, and breathing, a notable outcome of this procedure is its impact on a patient’s facial aesthetics.
How Jaw Surgery Alters Facial Structure
Jaw surgery modifies the face by directly manipulating its skeletal framework. Surgeons make precise cuts in the jawbones, allowing them to reposition, reshape, or advance/recede the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both. This realignment of the bones aims to achieve proper bite function and improve facial balance. Tiny bone plates, screws, and wires are then used to secure the jawbones in their new positions as they heal. In some cases, extra bone may be added to the jaw, often transferred from areas like the hip, leg, or ribs, to enhance contour or projection.
Specific Facial Areas Affected
Chin and Jawline
Changes to the jawbones can visibly alter several external facial features. The chin, for instance, often sees significant changes in its projection, width, or overall shape. Moving the lower jaw forward can enhance a weak chin, while reducing a prominent chin brings it into better proportion with the rest of the face. The jawline itself can become more defined, with improved contour and angle, contributing to a more appealing facial outline.
Nose
Maxillary repositioning can subtly impact the nose. Upper jaw movements, especially advancement or impaction, can lead to changes in nasal tip projection, rotation, and widening of the alar base. The nose might appear slightly upturned or wider at the base, depending on the specific surgical movements.
Lips
Jaw surgery also influences the lips, affecting their position, fullness, and how they meet. Repositioning the upper jaw can provide better support for the upper lip, potentially reducing the appearance of a “gummy smile.”
Soft Tissue and Profile Adaptations
Beyond the direct changes to bone and individual features, jaw surgery prompts significant adaptations in the soft tissues of the face, including skin, muscles, and fat. These tissues drape and conform over the newly positioned skeletal structure. The soft tissue changes are integral to the final aesthetic outcome, creating a harmonious balance between the underlying bone and the overlying facial contours. The most noticeable holistic impact often occurs in the facial profile, or side view. Improvements in the alignment and balance between the forehead, nose, lips, and chin are common. For example, correcting an underbite or overbite can result in a more balanced and harmonious profile. While initial swelling is common post-surgery, the soft tissues gradually settle, revealing the refined contours over several months.
Factors Influencing Facial Changes
Individual Factors
The extent and specific nature of facial changes following jaw surgery vary significantly among individuals. A primary factor is the person’s original facial anatomy and unique bone structure. The type and complexity of the surgical procedure also play a role; for instance, single jaw surgery may yield different outcomes compared to double jaw surgery, which involves both upper and lower jaws.
Surgical Planning
The surgeon’s meticulous planning and execution are crucial for achieving desired results. Advanced imaging techniques and virtual surgical planning tools aid in predicting outcomes, though individual biological responses can differ.
Recovery Timeline
Individual healing responses also influence the final appearance. Full aesthetic changes can take several months to a year as tissues settle.