Maxillofacial surgery

Why ?

Maxillofacial surgery or jaw surgery may sometimes be necessary in some maxillofacial dysmorphosis.
It aims to restore a skeletal balancein the 3 dimensions of space to obtain :

Chin repositioning: if your chin is too far back, your lower jaw may be underdeveloped in relation to the upper jaw; since it has stopped growing and the gap is too large to be corrected by tilting the teeth, the only solution is to reposition the jaws in a more harmonious relationship, through maxillofacial surgery, performed by a maxillofacial surgeon

The chin can also be too far forward, surgery can also alleviate this problem.

Decreased incisor protrusion:

If you feel that your upper teeth are too far forward and you have difficulty closing your mouth, it is often the lower jaw that is too far back. Jaw surgery can restore a functional occlusion but also lip competence.

Shortening orthodontic treatment:

Performing maxillofacial surgery often results in a decrease in overall treatment time. Indeed, the misalignment of the jaws is completely corrected by surgery, it is then enough to fit the upper teeth with the lower one.

Smile harmonization:

Maxillofacial surgery can improve the smile by widening it or by uncovering more or less the gums.

It is often necessary to work on the upper and lower jaws. This is a so-called “bimaxillary” surgery.

Functional Context Improvement:

Skeletal disharmonies are often accompanied by dysfunctions such as

– Lingual dysfunction: rehabilitation with a speech therapist or a specialized physiotherapist is essential during orthodontic treatment, and even more so after surgery when the entire facial context is reorganized.

– oral ventilation, associated or not with SAHOS (sleep apnea), you will be referred to a sleep doctor (ENT, pneumologist) for a sleep assessment before the orthodontic treatment, in order to detect a possible SAHOS.

How ?

The surgery is performed by a maxillofacial surgeon

You will see the maxillofacial surgeon in consultation prior to the start of orthodontic treatment to assess the need for orthodontic-surgical treatment.

You are operated on with your dental appliance in your mouth.

The orthodontic decompensation phase:

The orthodontic appliance is placed to “decompensate” the occlusion. This is the orthodontic preparation: it is possible that the aesthetic shift will be accentuated during this phase.

When we feel you are ready for surgery (often after a year), you will see the maxillofacial surgeon again with x-rays to preview the procedure.

A few days before the surgery, the orthodontist must place hooks on the dental appliance or buttons on the teeth to place the elastics between the upper and lower jaws. Elastics are placed immediately after the procedure to keep the jaws and teeth in the right position.

The post-surgical orthodontic phase:

the surgery has been performed; the new occlusion must now be stabilized. Elastic bands are therefore very important. This phase of orthodontic finishing usually lasts one year.

After the removal of the orthodontic appliance, a retention phase is essential to maintain the results obtained.

What are the post-operative effects?

• The surgery causes edema of the facial tissues, resulting in swelling of the face.
• The pain is moderate, it subsides with painkillers prescribed by the maxillofacial surgeon and disappears after a few days
• You will have elastic bands immediately after surgery, allowing stabilization of the surgery; a semi-liquid dietshould be provided for the first few days.
• A loss of sensitivity concerning the chin and the lips can appear, it is transitory.

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