Orthognathic
surgery is the type surgery performed by Oral Surgeons to correct skeletal
mismatches. The word orthognathic is derived from "ortho"
meaning correct or straight and "gnathos"
meaning jaw. These situations involve a situation where one of the jaws
is:
-
too large
-
too small
-
too far forward or
-
too far back in relation
to the rest of the skull.
Orthognathic Surgery
is not intended to replace orthodontics for straightening the teeth when
the relatinship ot the jaws is within the normal range, but cannot change
the relationship of the jaw.
Orthognathic surgery
is usually done in conjunction with orthodontics to provide the best possible
end result.
Situations that lend
themselves to Orthognathia are:
1. Apertognathia
is a situation when the back teeth meet but the front teeth do not touch.
This space causes difficulty in biting with the front teeth
2. Prognathia
is a situation where the lower jaw is too large and grows too far forward.
Surgery can be used to slide the lower jaw back.
3. Retrognatia
is a situation where there is a "severe" overbite. These situations are
managed with surgery and orthodontics together.
4. Vertical
Maxiallary Excess also known as the gummy
smile. In this case the upper jaw has grown too far down. Surgery can move
the jaw upward to create a much nicer looking smile.
If you believe you
have any of these situations discuss them with your dentist who will refer
to specialists qualified to carry out these procedures.
|
