An orthognathic surgeon performs surgery to reshape a patient's jaw. Specialists in this field may train as craniofacial surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and they work with orthodontists to protect the patient's teeth during and after the surgery. Patients may need orthognathic surgery for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons, and the procedure usually takes place in a hospital operating room, although some doctors maintain operating facilities in their clinics.
Problems with jaw positioning can make it hard for people to breathe, sleep, eat, or talk. Patients may also experience social discomfort if they have imbalanced faces, weak or protruding jaws, or other variations in physical appearance. The goal of an orthognathic surgeon is to alter the patient's jaw structure to resolve any medical or cosmetic issues, while avoiding issues that might contribute to health problems later in life.
Patients typically meet with an orthognathic surgeon after a referral from a dentist or orthodontist. The surgeon will take some pictures and use medical imaging studies like x-rays to get an idea of the underlying bone structure. She will discuss the patient's needs and concerns and develop a plan for surgery, working with an orthodontist to determine how to change the patient's jaw structure, and whether orthodontic appliances will be necessary during healing.
Once the patient and surgical team have a treatment plan, the surgeon can schedule the procedure. The orthognathic surgeon will work for three to four hours, exposing bone with a series of incisions to remove excess bone, add implants, and insert wires and screws to keep the facial structure stable. An orthodontist can be present to provide advice and assistance with the teeth. After the surgery, the patient may need to spend several weeks in orthodontic appliances and jaw wires to stabilize the jaw while it heals. Once the bones are knitting well, the surgeon can remove the supports.
Depending on the reasons for orthognathic surgery, patients may need help from a speech-language pathologist to learn how to eat and talk comfortably. It may also be necessary to wear braces to pull the teeth into alignment over the course of weeks, months, or years. Once the teeth are fully stable, the orthodontist can remove the braces.
Patients preparing for a consultation with an orthognathic surgeon should look up several surgeons and plan to meet with them to get an idea of all the available options. It is always advisable to ask for qualifications, including how long the surgeon has been in practice, where he went to school, and whether he belongs to any professional organizations.
