It is very common for patients to present with a discrepancy between the position of their top and lower jaws.
Ideally, the mandible (lower jaw) and maxilla (top jaw) should be of proportionate dimensions, creating an aesthetic appearance and allowing the teeth to come together in a functional bite.
Sometimes one jaw may be too big, too small or too narrow relative to the other. Occasionally there may be other issues, such as an asymmetry or deviation of the jaws or chin to one side. Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, refers to surgical procedures which correct these skeletal relationships, thereby improving patient function and aesthetics.
Patients with such issues may describe their problems in a number of ways. Some patients will experience difficulties with function, being unable to chew or bite into their food properly.
Often patients will mention that they don’t like how their profile appears in photographs, or that they show to much (or too little) teeth and gums when they smile.
Sometimes the presentation may be more subtle, with concerns related to tooth crowding or misalignment.
The very best outcomes in orthognathic surgery involve a collaborative effort between:
- Your surgeon, who corrects the jaw position.
- Your orthodontist, who corrects the tooth position.
- & You.
Whatever the issue, our surgeons at WestOMS are contemporarily trained in corrective jaw surgery and are equipped to manage the full spectrum of orthognathic issues with the latest in digital planning technologies.
