Should i get corrective jaw surgery

Orthognathic surgery may be recommended for your child if they have one or more of the following jaw abnormalities:. Typically, corrective jaw surgery is performed after the face and jaw have stopped growing. This is necessary to ensure that your child does not outgrow the correction.

In most cases, the jaw and face have completed growth around 15 to 18 years of age. Most children require about 6 to 12 months of orthodontic treatment before surgery to properly align the teeth as well as an additional months of orthodontic treatment after surgery to finalize the bite. Planning is performed with the aid of 3D X-rays and computer software to ensure that the jaw movements are customized and precise.

At the time of surgery, your child may require one or more of these procedures to properly align the jaws, maximize function of the jaw and teeth, and improve outward appearance. Surgery can range from two to six hours, and all of the incisions are located inside the mouth.

Once the jaws are properly aligned, the surgeon will secure the bones of the jaw into place with small plates and screws. This is a surgical manipulation of the upper jaw. The surgeon will make an incision into the upper jaw bone above the teeth. Then, the upper jaw and teeth will be moved forward and rotated to properly align with the lower teeth.

This is a surgical manipulation of the lower jaw. The surgeon will make incisions to the lower jaw behind the bottom molars. The lower jaw can then be advanced and rotated to properly align with the upper jaw. This is surgical manipulation of the chin bone. This is commonly performed in conjunction with one of the above procedures to promote midline position of the chin and improved facial aesthetics.

Sometimes, the upper or lower jaw is so severely underdeveloped that it cannot be safely advanced in one surgery. In these cases, a surgical technique called distraction osteogenesis is used to gradually lengthen the bone.

This is particularly beneficial in young children or babies whose lower jaw is so small that it affects their ability to safely breathe and eat. Distraction osteogenesis involves making a cut in the lower jaw bone mandible or upper jaw bone maxilla and applying an expansion device called a distractor. The distractor is secured to either side of the bone cut and held in place with screws. A small portion of the distractor is visible on the outside of the body.

The device is turned daily for two to three weeks, slowly increasing the gap between the bone to promote new bone growth. Once the appropriate length is achieved, distraction is complete.

This distractor devices are surgically removed about 12 weeks later to allow for adequate healing of the bone. When distractor devices are involved, the surgeon must make incisions in the skin. The child, therefore, will have visible scars, typically located under the jaw close to the ear.

Following surgery, the jaw is stabilized with orthodontic rubber bands. In rare cases, the jaw will be wired shut. Most patients remain in the hospital for one or two nights to monitor pain and swelling. In upper jaw surgery, the surgeon makes cuts in the upper jaw, moves it forward, backward, up or down as needed and secures it with plates and screws. Your surgeon cuts the bone above your teeth so that the entire top jaw — including the roof of your mouth and your upper teeth — can move as one unit.

The jaw and upper teeth are moved forward until they fit properly with the lower teeth. This can be planned on a computer to determine if additional work, such as orthodontics, will be needed to help correct any remaining fit difference. An open bite occurs when excess bone grows above the molars, causing what's normally a flat, even surface to become angled.

To fix this, your surgeon shaves away or removes the excess bone. The lower jaw is divided and the front section is moved forward or backward and secured with plates and screws. The surgeon makes cuts behind the molars and lengthwise down the jawbone so the front of the jaw can move as one unit. The jaw can then be moved to its new position either forward or backward. Plates and screws hold the jawbone together as it heals.

In surgery to remedy a small chin genioplasty , the front part of the lower jaw is divided and that piece is moved forward and secured with plates and screws. A genioplasty can correct a small chin deficient chin.

A small chin often accompanies a severely receded lower jaw. Typically, surgeons can alter the jaw and restructure the chin during the same surgery.

The surgeon cuts a piece of the chin bone on the front of the jaw, moves it forward, and secures it in a new position with plates and screws. Initial jaw healing typically takes about six weeks after surgery, but complete healing can take up to 12 weeks. After initial jaw healing — at about six weeks — your orthodontist finishes aligning your teeth with braces.

The entire orthodontic process, including surgery and braces, may take several years. Once the braces are removed, retainers to hold tooth position may be used. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Jaw surgery care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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Overview Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic or-thog-NATH-ik surgery, corrects irregularities of the jaw bones and realigns the jaws and teeth to improve the way they work. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Upper jaw surgery Open pop-up dialog box Close. Upper jaw surgery In upper jaw surgery, the surgeon makes cuts in the upper jaw, moves it forward, backward, up or down as needed and secures it with plates and screws.

Lower jaw surgery Open pop-up dialog box Close. Lower jaw surgery The lower jaw is divided and the front section is moved forward or backward and secured with plates and screws. Chin surgery Open pop-up dialog box Close. Chin surgery In surgery to remedy a small chin genioplasty , the front part of the lower jaw is divided and that piece is moved forward and secured with plates and screws. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Corrective jaw surgery. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Accessed Oct. Khechoyan DY. Orthognathic surgery: General considerations. Seminars in Plastic Surgery.