JAW CORRECTION:

Corrective jaw surgery will reshape or reposition the jaw bones. The surgery may be done on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. This surgery may also be called:

• Maxillary oseteotomy- upper jaw

• Mandibular  osteotomy- lower jaw

 The bone should heal in about 6 weeks. It will take about 9 to 12 months before the jaw fully heals.

REASONS FOR PROCEDURE:

The surgery is done to correct problems of the jaw. It may change how the jaw works or repair damage. The jaw is the platform for the teeth. Certain jaw problems make it hard for the upper and lower teeth to line up as they should. This could lead to:

• Difficulty chewing or biting food

• Difficulty swallowing

• Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headaches

• Excessive wear of the teeth

• Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)

• Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side

• Facial injury

• Birth defects 

• Receding lower jaw and chin

• Protruding jaw

• Inability to make the lips meet without straining

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

• Speech problems

• Bone disease or conditions that affect bone growth