ORTHOGANTIC SURGERY AND DISTRACTION

Orthognatic Surgery

Corrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery is performed to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal ( Bony) and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth and treats sleep apnea.

While the patient’s appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems

Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery:

Difficulty chewing, or biting food

Difficulty swallowing

Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache

Gummy smile

Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)

Unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side

Post traumatic facial defect correction

Birth defects

Receding chin

Protruding jaw

Inability to make the lips meet without straining

Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth

Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

Orthognathic surgery along with improvement in appearance can also improve chewing, speaking and breathing.

Distraction

Distraction is a surgical process used to reconstruct skeletal deformities and lengthen the bones of the body.

A corticotomy is used to fracture the bone into two segments, and the two bone ends of the bone are gradually moved apart during the distraction phase using a device called the distractor , allowing new bone to form in the gap. These techniques are now utilised extensively by maxillofacial surgeons for the correction of micrognathia (small chin), midface, and fronto-orbital hypoplasia ( deficient midface) in patients with craniofacial deformities.

Intraoral Distractor

An intraoral distractor is a specialized device used to gradually lengthen the jawbone or other facial structures.

Benefits of Intraoral Distractor:

Non-Invasive Bone Lengthening – Provides a way to gradually lengthen the jaw without external incisions.
Customized for Each Patient – The device is tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring precise results.
Improves Facial Aesthetics & Function – Enhances both appearance and the ability to chew, speak, and breathe.
Minimizes Recovery Time – The gradual adjustment reduces trauma to surrounding tissues, promoting faster healing.

Intraoral distractors are a key tool in treating severe jaw discrepancies, offering a less invasive, effective solution for long-term facial and dental health improvement.

Extraoral Distractor

An extraoral distractor is an external device used to lengthen the jawbone or correct facial skeletal deformities.

Benefits of Extraoral Distractor:

Effective for Severe Deformities – Ideal for complex cases requiring significant bone movement.
Precise & Controlled Bone Lengthening – Allows gradual and accurate correction of jaw misalignments.
Improves Facial Function & Aesthetics – Enhances both appearance and the ability to chew, speak, and breathe.
Minimized Risk of Rejection – The device is externally supported, reducing complications that may arise from internal devices.

Extraoral distractors are highly effective in restoring facial balance and improving functionality for patients with complex facial skeletal issues.