Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, corrects structural abnormalities of the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both. Its goal is to improve jaw function and appearance, leading to better oral health and quality of life. The procedure realigns jawbones to create a more balanced and functional bite.
Correcting Jaw Misalignment
Orthognathic surgery often addresses malocclusion, a condition where the upper and lower jaws do not meet correctly, leading to an improper bite. This misalignment can manifest as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. While orthodontics like braces can correct minor bite issues, significant skeletal discrepancies often require surgical intervention to reposition the jaws.
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth, while an underbite involves the lower jaw and teeth protrude beyond the upper. A crossbite occurs when some upper teeth bite inside the lower, and an open bite is a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. These misalignments can hinder biting, chewing, and swallowing.
Beyond hindering function, jaw misalignment can also affect speech clarity, cause tooth wear, and strain jaw joints. Correction helps distribute chewing forces evenly, prevent tooth damage, and improve facial symmetry, promoting long-term oral health and a balanced facial appearance.
Addressing Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Jaw surgery can also address severe Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders. The TMJ acts as a hinge connecting the jawbone to the skull, facilitating movements like chewing and speaking. Dysfunction of this joint can lead to a range of symptoms, including chronic pain in the jaw, face, neck, and ears.
Individuals with TMJ disorders might experience clicking or popping sounds when moving their jaw, difficulty opening or closing their mouth fully, or even jaw locking. Surgery for TMJ disorders is generally considered after non-surgical treatments, such as pain medications, oral splints, or physical therapy, prove ineffective in alleviating symptoms. The goal of such surgery is to alleviate pressure, correct structural problems within the joint, and improve overall jaw function.
Resolving Breathing and Sleep Issues
Jaw surgery plays a role in treating severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other breathing difficulties linked to jaw structure. A jaw that is recessed or abnormally shaped can narrow the airway in the back of the throat. This anatomical limitation can cause the tongue to fall backward during sleep, leading to interruptions in breathing.
Surgical repositioning of the jaws, particularly moving the upper and/or lower jaw forward, can significantly expand the airway. This procedure helps prevent the collapse of soft tissues in the throat, which is a common cause of OSA. By enlarging the airway, jaw surgery can improve or resolve OSA symptoms, leading to better sleep quality, reduced snoring, and improved overall health.
Repairing Damage from Trauma and Birth Conditions
Jaw surgery is also necessary to repair damage from significant facial trauma or to address birth conditions affecting facial development. Severe injuries to the face and jaw, such as those from accidents, can lead to fractures or substantial structural damage. Surgical intervention is then required to restore the proper alignment, function, and appearance of the jaw and face.
For individuals born with or who develop craniofacial anomalies, jaw surgery is a component of a comprehensive treatment plan. Conditions such as cleft lip and palate deformities or various syndromes that affect facial growth can cause significant functional and aesthetic challenges. These procedures help to correct structural imbalances, improve functional aspects like eating and speaking, and enhance facial aesthetics. In some cases, bone grafting may be used to restore lost bone or strengthen results, ensuring long-term stability.