Orthognathic surgery is a technique that aims to reposition the maxillary bones so that they adopt their ideal position with respect to the skull. It is mainly performed to solve malocclusion and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
On the other hand, it improves sleep apnea and snoring problems, when they are caused by retrognathia, i.e. when the jaw is located excessively backwards with respect to the skull. The correction of the jaws through this surgery also brings harmony to the face.
The improvements in the occlusion of the upper jaw with the mandible are immediate after finishing the operation. To be able to see the improvements in other aspects it will be necessary to wait a few weeks until the tissues are deflated.
Latest advances
The postoperative period has improved recently thanks to the appearance of osteosynthesis. Osteosynthesis consists of treating bone fractures by using artificial pieces to join broken bone fragments. In addition, 3D planning has made it possible to simulate surgical procedures for patients before they are performed. Thanks to these advances, there has been an improvement in the accuracy of surgery and waiting times have decreased considerably.
Like most maxillofacial procedures, orthognathic surgery is not usually performed on growing children and young adults. For females, it is usually performed as early as four years after the first menstrual period, and for males, it is recommended to wait until they are 18 years old.