|
Jaw
growth is a slow and gradual process. Occasionally, something
may go wrong with this process and the upper and lower jaws
may grow at different rates.
UNEQUAL
JAW GROWTH-A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
One
or both jaws may grow too much or too little. The resulting
abnormality may interfere with proper teeth alignment, speaking
and chewing. The tongue and lips may be forced to move awkwardly
during speech and swallowing in an attempt to compensate
for the jaw malrelationship. There may be a speech defect
or excessive mouth breathing.
An
improper bite may threaten the long-term health of the gums
and teeth. The jaw joint (TMJ) can also be adversely affected
by a jaw malrelationship. In addition, jaws of different
sizes-that don't match-can affect appearance.
WHAT IS ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
Orthognathic
surgery is sometimes called "Surgical Orthodontics"
because, just as an orthodontist repositions teeth, an oral
and maxillofacial surgeon uses orthognathic surgery to reposition
one or both jaws. Just as "orthodontics" means
"straight teeth," "orthognathic" means
"straight jaws." In fact, because moving the jaws
also moves the teeth, orthognathic surgery is usually performed
in conjunction with orthodontics so that the teeth are in
proper position after surgery. The objective of orthognathic
surgery is the correction of a wide range of minor and major
facial and jaw irregularities, and benefits include an improved
ability to chew, speak and breathe. In many cases an enhanced
appearance may also result.
WHO
NEEDS ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
People
who can potentially benefit from orthognathic surgery include
those with an improper bite and those with jaws that are
positioned incorrectly. Jaw growth is a slow and gradual
process, and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws
may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of
problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term
oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaw and birth
defects can also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics
alone can correct many "bite" problems if only
the teeth are involved, orthognathic surgery may be required
if the jaws also need repositioning.
 .........................................
The
following are some of the conditions that may indicate a
need for orthognathic surgery:
- difficulty
chewing or biting food
-
difficulty swallowing
-
speech problems
-
chronic jaw pain
-
excessive wearing of teeth
-
open bite (space between front teeth when the back teeth
are closed)
-
unbalanced facial appearance
-
facial injury or birth defects
-
receding chin
-
protruding jaw
-
inability to make lips meet without effort
-
chronic mouth breathing with the dry mouth
-
sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping i.e. snoring
etc.)
TREATMENT
When
unequal jaw growth is the source of the problem, corrective
jaw surgery (Orthognathic Surgery) may be necessary. Orthodontic
treatment (braces or other appliances) may also be needed
to allow the teeth to align properly. Corrective jaw surgery
involves moving all or part of the upper and/or lower jaw
into a more favorable position. For example, the entire
jaw can be moved backward if it's too large or forward if
it is too small. The goal of treatment is to improve function
and restore facial balance.
 ..... ..... ..
Some
people have facial abnormalities involving just the upper
face, cheekbones and nose. These can also be surgically
corrected. The bones are repositioned so the facial features
are more symmetrical. This is usually accompanied by the
return of normal breathing, speaking and eating patterns.
After
the jaws are moved into their new position, rubber bands
or wires attached to the teeth may be used to fasten the
jaws together during healing. Alternatively, rigid internal
fixation with miniature screws and plates may be used to
allow you to open and close your jaws sooner after corrective
surgery.
TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK
Take
a closer look at your bite and appearance. Does your chin
stick out? Does it recede? Do your teeth fit together properly?
Do you have "buck" teeth? Are your teeth straight?
Unequal
growth of the jaws, injury or birth defects can produce
problems and symptoms that require treatment by a team that
usually includes an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an orthodontist,
and sometimes your dentist. In order to determine if you
are a candidate for orthognathic surgery, an evaluation
of your condition by this team is necessary.
If
you suspect there's cause for concern, have your oral and
maxillofacial surgeon examine your face and bite.
Portions of the above information provided as a courtesy by:
American
Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701
847/678-6200 Fax: 847/678-6286
Website: www.aaoms.org
|
