What are the different types of maxillofacial surgery?
A number of maxillofacial surgical procedures are currently performed by surgeons. The most common are
Maxillofacial jaw surgery (or orthognathic surgery)
Maxillofacial jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is the practice of correcting the position of the jaw. It not only makes the face more harmonious, but also facilitates everyday movements, such as swallowing. This procedure is often preceded and followed by orthodontic treatment.
Dental implantology
Dental implantology is one of the techniques used to fill missing teeth. It involves inserting titanium devices into the bone to replace the missing root. Once healed and soldered, the implant is then used to support a prosthesis.
Do you have questions about maxillofacial surgery? Would you like to make an appointment for an operation? Contact the facial surgery specialists at La Clinique du Lac today.
What is orthognathic surgery?
Jaw protrusion, square jaw, short lower jaw, hollowness... Not only do these malformations cause aesthetic and psychological suffering, they can also be the cause of functional problems (swallowing, breathing or chewing).
Orthognathic surgery involves procedures to correct malformations or accidental deformations of the jaws. The aim? To improve the positioning of teeth and jaws. Are you considering orthognathic surgery? Price, procedure, principles... Here's everything you need to know.
Most patients consult a surgeon for maxillofacial surgery following orthodontic treatment. This is because orthognathic surgery can resolve moderate to severe malformations that cannot be treated by orthodontics. That said, following surgery, it is strongly recommended to continue orthodontic treatment for optimal, long-lasting results.
This type of procedure can be envisaged once growth is complete, from around age 16.
During this surgical procedure, the practitioner intervenes on the facial skeleton (notably the maxillary and/or mandibular bones) to restore the correct position of the jaws and/or teeth.
Severe malocclusions: These are malpositions of the teeth. Lack of space in the jaw causes teeth to rotate or overlap. Sometimes, the upper teeth are too far forward or overlap the lower ones.
Severe prognathia: when the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw.
Severe retrognathia: This malformation refers to a lower jaw that is too short, leading to functional problems, pain and abnormal wear of the molars. Orthognathic surgery, generally accompanied by genioplasty, is required.
First, the surgeon performs an assessment. He or she will study the disorders, the condition of the teeth and the shape of the face. During this discussion, the patient explains his or her wishes and motivations, whether functional or aesthetic. To complete the assessment, photographs, X-rays and casts are taken. The practitioner can then explain the type of procedure envisaged and the various stages involved. A customized estimate is then drawn up.
In consultation with the orthodontist, the surgeon may request orthodontic treatment prior to orthognathic surgery. He may also recommend consulting a pneumologist (in the case of sleep apnea, for example) or a physiotherapist.
A pre-operative check-up allows the surgeon to plan the procedure in detail and calculate the new position of the jaws. The surgeon can have surgical guides made for use during the surgical procedure.
An anaesthetic consultation is essential and should take place at least two weeks before the operation, so that additional tests can be scheduled if necessary.
Finally, about ten days before the procedure, the patient must have consulted his or her dentist for care and scaling.
Orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia, either on an outpatient basis (the patient can go home the same evening) or during a short hospital stay (one or two days).
On the day of the operation, you need to arrive on an empty stomach, after taking a thorough shower and carefully cleaning your teeth and nose.
The operation takes between 1 and 4 hours. The maxillo-facial surgeon makes incisions inside the mouth, then cuts into the jaws. He will then position them as decided during the pre-operative consultation. Finally, using screws and plates, he secures the bone positions. The incisions are then sutured with absorbable sutures. After a few hours in the post-operative room, the patient can return to his or her room. It is important to note that he is able to drink and speak, as the jaws are not locked, as was the case several years ago.
There is a recovery period of a few weeks, during which food must be blended and then softened.
As each orthognathic surgery is a tailor-made procedure, we invite you to contact La Clinique du Lac for a personalized quote.
