A pleasing facial profile is always a plus point to have. It helps to create a positive impression among people you meet, whether in business meetings or other social interactions. So, even a small defect in your face, such as a short or protruded jaw, can impact your confidence and make you avoid people and mingle freely with them. If you are facing such an issue, don’t be disheartened, for jaw issues are quite common, and you are not alone. Around 56% of people worldwide have disproportionate jaws, as per a report in the National Library of Medicine. Thankfully, medical advancements like surgical jaw correction have made it possible to correct such jaw issues and get your desired facial profile. However, not many people are fully aware of the benefits of jaw surgery and assume it to be very risky without knowing all the facts.
Questions must be popping in your mind, such as, ‘is jaw surgery safe?’ and what are the long-term effects of jaw surgery? In the coming section, we will attempt to provide you with all the facts you need to know about surgical jaw correction, including jaw surgery pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision. First, let us begin by understanding the different jaw issues.
Knowing The Common Jaw Issues
The below jaw issues can impact aesthetics and day-to-day functions. Surgical jaw correction can help restore balance and improve quality of life.
1.Forwardly-Placed Jaws (Bimaxillary Protrusion)
When both the upper and lower jaws are positioned forward, it can result in a convex facial profile, difficulty closing the lips, and even mouth breathing. Many people with this condition also experience a gummy smile, where the gums are overly visible while smiling.
2.Backwardly-Placed Lower Jaw (Retrognathic Mandible)
A small or recessed lower jaw can lead to a short lower facial height and exaggerated folds on the lower lip. This often gives the appearance of looking older than one’s age. People with this condition may also experience snoring and a convex facial profile.
3.Backwardly-Placed Upper Jaw (Retrognathic Maxilla)
When the upper jaw is positioned too far back, it can make the lower jaw appear larger than it is. This causes difficulty in biting and closing the lips properly.
4.Large Lower Jaw (Prognathic Mandible)
An oversized lower jaw can lead to difficulties in pronouncing certain sounds and problems with biting. It also creates an imbalanced facial profile, often appearing convex.
Benefits of Jaw Realignment
Surgical jaw correction offers several significant benefits that go beyond just improving your appearance. Here are the orthognathic surgery benefits in detail:
1.Better Sleep
If you have a retruded lower jaw, it can block your airways and lead to sleep problems like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can increase your risk for hypertension or a heart attack. Jaw correction surgery repositions the lower jaw to improve the alignment with the upper jaw, reducing airway blockages. This ensures better airflow, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted and quality sleep.
2.Easier Breathing
Jaw issues can sometimes affect how you breathe, leading to nasal congestion or difficulty getting enough air, especially at night. By correcting jaw alignment, this surgery can help open up your airways, improving airflow through your nose and reducing nasal congestion.
3.Enhanced Facial Appearance
One of the most noticeable benefits is the improvement in your facial profile. Misaligned jaws can impact facial symmetry, but jaw surgery helps reposition the upper and lower jaws for better balance. This can enhance your jawline, improve chin projection, and give you a more harmonious facial structure.
4.Better Bite and Speech
A misaligned jaw can make chewing, biting, or even speaking a challenge. Jaw correction surgery properly aligns the jaws, making eating easier and improving your ability to speak clearly.
5.Relief from TMJ Jaw Pain
When your upper and lower jaws don’t meet properly, it can create stress on the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and the trigeminal nerve, causing pain. If you’ve been dealing with such pain or discomfort due to TMJ issues, jaw correction surgery can provide lasting relief by addressing the root cause of the problem and realigning the jaw to the right position.
Like with any other surgery, jaw correction surgery comes with its share of risks. This is why you should get it done only after first understanding jaw surgery well and its potential complications.
Types of Surgical Jaw Correction Surgeries
Let’s look at the two types of treatment options available for treating jaw misalignment issues:
- Non-Surgical Treatment
For mild to moderate jaw misalignment, non-surgical options can be effective. Braces or clear aligners help improve the position of teeth and correct the bite, addressing some issues caused by a retruded lower jaw.
- Surgical Treatment
When the jaw misalignment is severe, surgery may be necessary. A procedure called mandibular osteotomy is often used to reposition the lower jaw, aligning it with the upper jaw. This improves the bite, enhances facial balance, and boosts overall functionality.
Possible Risks of Jaw Correction Surgery
Discuss the below risks of surgical jaw correction with your surgeon beforehand to understand how they’ll be managed and minimized.
- Bleeding: Some blood loss may occur during the procedure.
- Infections: There’s a chance of developing an infection after surgery if proper care isn’t taken.
- Nerve Damage: Temporary or, in rare cases, nerve injury may result, leading to numbness or tingling.
- Relapse: The jaw might shift back to its original position over time.
- Bite and Joint Issues: Misalignment of the bite or discomfort in the jaw joint may arise.
- Follow-Up Procedures: Additional surgeries might be necessary to address complications or refine results.
Advantages Of Choosing A Maxillofacial Surgeon For Surgical Jaw Correction
Only a maxillofacial specialist with a track record of successful surgical jaw correction treatments can guarantee the best outcomes without complications.
Choosing an experienced maxillofacial surgeon ensures expert care, as they specialize in treating different types of complex jaw and facial issues. With their in-depth knowledge of bone structure and alignment, they provide precise diagnoses and tailored treatment plans. A maxillofacial surgeon will minimize your risks after considering your current health status and underlying conditions and ensure the best possible results.
Conclusion
Now that you know all the possible orthognathic surgery risks and surgical jaw correction benefits, you can safely opt for this procedure to correct your facial issues. You are assured of getting jaw realignment benefits, like an enhanced facial profile and improvement in functions like breathing or speaking.
At Gnathos Facial, with our 20+ years of experience in performing jaw correction procedures, you are in the safest hands. Their maxillofacial surgeons follow the best hygiene and safety protocols and use cutting-edge technology to reduce risks and ensure the best jaw correction surgery outcomes. For more information and a complete evaluation of your jaw issues and for personalized treatment plans, schedule an appointment with our team.
FAQs
1.Who needs surgical jaw Correction?
You need surgical jaw correction if you have conditions like a protruded upper jaw or backwardly placed lower jaw. These conditions can cause functional problems like breathing difficulty, in addition to spoiling your facial profile.
2.What are the long-term effects of jaw surgery?
Jaw correction surgery offers benefits like a pleasing and harmonious jaw profile, improvement in speaking, breathing and chewing and psychological benefits like improved self-esteem.
3.Are there any Surgical jaw correction risks?
Like other surgeries, jaw correction surgery also carries some risks like bleeding, infection, or swelling. However, when performed by experienced maxillofacial surgeons, chances of corrective jaw surgery risks are highly reduced.
4.How can I recover quickly from jaw correction?
Recovering from jaw correction is easier with simple steps like sticking to soft foods, avoiding hard or sticky items, and staying hydrated. Avoid using straws to prevent dislodging clots. Use a cold compress for swelling, sleep with your head elevated, and take prescribed meds. Rest well and follow your surgeon’s advice for a smooth recovery.