Orthodontics and Orthognathic Surgery
Written by:The word orthognathic consists of two parts from the Greek:"ortos"in Greek means straight,"gnathos"means jaw or mandible. Today, this surgery also involves the correction, too, of the maxilla.
So is the surgery dedicated to putting in the correct position and size these bones either lengthening, shortening or placing it in a different place, in relation to the skull base
physical and psychological consequences
This surgery is when there are disharmony of facial growth, that is, when the maxilla and / or mandible grow more or less than they should in all three planes of space resulting in desarmonias result in soft tissue as very prominent chins or just the opposite, flat sides without volumes, which many smiles on gum, facial asymmetries and of sleep apnea is.
The maxillary teeth erupt in such a way that the size and / or position is incorrect, the occlusion between the teeth is not adequate, causing irreversible damage to the teeth, joint pains and problems in chewing.
All these physical problems, we could say, are irrelevant compared to the psychic as the patient suffers from its earliest ages and especially in adolescence, social rejection, in this society, where the aesthetic demands are increasing modeling a shy, introverted and insecure character
During orthognathic surgery to correct jaw alignment, proper occlusion, as well as the facial harmony is achieved. When the jaws are moved three-dimensionally, the soft tissue facial on the chin, cheeks, lips and the tip of the nose move accordingly. Therefore, once the jaws are positioned correctly, facial harmony which results in a beautiful profile is acquired, a face with harmonic facial volumes, that is balanced and a large Psychic change characterized by greater self-confidence.
Resorting to surgery
Previously, these patients were treated with orthodontics alone. This method is called"orthodontic camouflage" ;, because usually slightly improves the function of mastication, but does not correct the poor alignment of the jaws and often the facial profile worsens plus is a lengthy orthodontic process with large risks of dental lesions. Fortunately, there are fewer orthodontists provided to do so.
Today, orthodontic treatment and surgical intervention are combined.
In all cases, treatment begins with the presurgical orthodontic ( about one year although new surgical techniques can reduce this period to a couple of months in many cases). After performed the surgery, which can be mono or bimaxillary, so that both jaws are fixed in the new position by matching the correct occlusion with facial balance.
Orthodontic treatment continued after surgery until all the teeth ending in a perfect occlusion with duration.
A minimum age
The orthognathic surgery is done after 18 years, when normally has stopped growing. is rarely carried out into smaller patients, particularly in the case of male. As women end before his growth, it is sometimes possible to do.
Previously it was done almost exclusively after adolescence or early maturity, but today, the age profile is widening as they require different fields, such as protesita as to the correct placement of implants needs correct basis for subsequent bone occlusal rehabilitation. Also the pulmonologist for their patients with because of sleep apnea is the only curative treatment exists for this problem.