All you need to know about orthognathic surgery

Orthognathic surgery is a set of techniques to modify the shape, position and size of the jawbone. Through invisible incisions are made in the oral mucosa, it accedes to the jaw, jaw and chin; where different types of osteotomies are performed, it ie different bone cuts. After mobilizing the bones, fixed in position by the previously planned osteosynthesis systems.

Specialists in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery say that this surgery can make getting very marked changes in the face without leaving any external scar. The bimaxillary advances have an effect projection and consequently, facial rejuvenation. These techniques can be supplemented with adjuvants procedures to improve the aesthetics of the patient as malar prosthesis, fillers or other techniques of oral aesthetics. On the other hand, orthognathic surgery has become a treatment option in patients with sleep apnea.

Orthognathic surgery is usually preceded by a period of prior orthodontic, which usually lasts between 9 and 18 months. This process aims to align teeth before surgery. However, in certain cases you can choose to perform first surgery and orthodontic perform the period after

Recent advances in orthognathic surgery

In recent times there have been several advances in the art of orthognathic surgery, including virtual 3D planning systems and improved aesthetics as ultimate goal of treatment. Other developments have been the immediate function without locking the jaws return, changes or temporary individualization of treatment protocols and the use of new equipment that allows minimally invasive procedures.

Types of orthognathic surgery

There are several types of orthognathic surgery.

• Surgery in the maxilla: the most used technique is the Lefort 1 osteotomy that can help correct maxillary delayed (very flat faces), jaws very long (excessive exposure of gum or gummy smile) or open bites (lack of contacts between upper and lower teeth).
• Jaw surgery: the most common technique is the sagittal osteotomy branch (BSSO). It involves making a cut behind the last molars, allowing mobilize the front of the jaw as a single unit.
• Surgery on the chin: the chin surgery to correct delayed or low projection, long or too developed chins. With a small incision between the lower canines cut is made below the roots of the teeth with which to mobilize demand chin.

Orthognathic surgery: postoperative

The intervention of orthognathic surgery is performed in a hospital and in most cases require hospitalization of between 24 and 48 hours. In some minor technical (SARPE, mentoplastia), this income is usually not necessary.

You question that most concern patients are: "I hurt?", "Can I open my mouth?". The main advantage of orthognathic surgery is the absence of postoperative pain. Although the patient is uncomfortable, rarely complains of severe pain.

Thanks to the mini - plates fixation techniques, the patient is able to speak, eat and yawned from day one.

The most common discomfort after the procedure are:

• Swelling usually goes away in about 15 days. Reaches its peak between 3 and 5 days
• Nasal congestion, when the treated area is on the upper jaw
• Difficulty in chewing forcing adopt a soft diet during the first days.
• Tingling in the lips

In general, patients can resume their work or return to their place of study in approximately 10-14 days.