Can Jaw Surgery Improve Facial Aesthetics?
If you’ve heard of orthognathic or jaw surgery, chances are you have heard the term used in conjunction with dental irregularities. This is a very common and successful procedure used to correct severe jaw discrepancies and bite malfunctions but what many don’t know is just how the procedure can impact facial aesthetics. Whether used for the sole purpose of correcting dental issues or to improve the way you feel about your facial features, orthognathic surgery is an extremely reliable procedure to tackle both issues.
What is Jaw Surgery and How Does it Work?
Jaw surgery is an intricate procedure, usually carried out in severe cases of dental misalignments to reposition the upper and lower jaw. Correction cannot be achieved by orthodontics alone, so surgery is suggested, alongside the wearing of braces before and after the operation, until healed and alignment is complete. Jaw surgery is usually only carried out after growth stops, at around the age of 14 to 16 for females and 17 to 21 for males.
The surgery is carried out in a hospital, under general anaesthesia, and works to create balance to allow the teeth and jaws to meet properly. During surgery, the jaw’s are moved into their desired positions and secured into place with tiny screws underneath the gum. In some cases, extra bone may be added to the jaw, transferred from the hip, leg, or rib, and secured into place with plates and screws. Small elastic bands are used between the top and bottom brace, to help guide the teeth into their new bite position.
Can Jaw Surgery be Used Solely to Improve Facial Aesthetics?
Orthognathic surgery is carried out by a maxillofacial surgeon and is a form of reconstructive surgery. Although firstly it aims to improve functional dental occlusion, secondly, it aims to give the best aesthetic outcome. By correcting jaw discrepancies, facial harmony and symmetry can be significantly improved, which in turn can improve self-confidence. Patients with an overbite, underbite or crossbite can expect to not only feel an improved bite function but more confident and satisfied with their appearance after the procedure.
How Orthognathic Surgery Impacts the Jaw and Facial Aesthetics
Repositioning the jaw can create numerous knock-on effects. Improving the alignment of the teeth can improve the alignment of the jaws, which in turn improves the bite function, alleviating jaw pain, headaches, and muscle tension. Speech can be improved alongside digestion, and self-esteem can almost certainly be enhanced. Even breathing and sleep quality can be positively affected by jaw surgery.
Surgery carried out on the upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy) can correct crossbite and open bite, too much or too little of the teeth showing, a receding or protruding upper jaw, and the reduced facial growth of the middle of the face (midfacial hypoplasia). Surgery carried out on the lower jaw (mandibular osteotomy) is used to correct a receding lower jaw and a protruding lower jaw, and chin surgery (genioplasty) can be used to correct a small chin, which often accompanies a severely receded lower jaw.
Improving Facial Proportions
One of the key ways jaw surgery contributes to enhanced facial aesthetics is by addressing asymmetry and disproportionality in the facial features. Individuals with underdeveloped or overdeveloped jaws may experience a lack of balance, causing the chin, nose, and other facial elements to appear out of proportion. Jaw surgery can harmonise these features, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing facial structure.
Enhancing the Profile
A well-defined jawline is often associated with youthfulness and attractiveness. Jaw surgery can significantly impact the profile by correcting issues such as a receding chin or an overbearing lower jaw. Through precise adjustments, surgeons can sculpt the jawline to achieve a more defined and appealing contour, elevating the overall aesthetic appeal of the face.
If You’re Seeking Jaw Surgery in Manchester, Speak to Northenden House Orthodontics Today
If you would like to speak to one of our specialists about obtaining orthognathic surgery in Manchester, then we would be only too happy to help. We procure optimal treatment using a combined treatment plan, created by the maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist. We pride ourselves in the complex interdisciplinary care that we provide to all patients undergoing jaw surgery, ensuring close liaison between highly trained and experienced clinicians.
Northenden House Orthodontics offers the specialist care that is needed to perform jaw surgery in Manchester, so contact us today to speak to our friendly and helpful team.
- Mohammad Malik
