The Beauty Society

Your teeth are positioned in your upper and lower jaws therefore your bite is affected if a problem exists with the position or shape of the jaws

Jaws can be short or long, too wide or too narrow depending on your genetic makeup or growth. It may not be possible to correct a bad bite using braces alone, because the reason for the bad bite may be the bone structure that has to be addressed. If you have a bad bite it is not just your appearance that will be affected but it may also cause other problems including abnormal tooth wear, periodontal disease, and possible joint pain.

One of the primary complaints patients present with is concern about their side-profile (how they look when viewed from the side). Profile problems can originate from an imbalance between the position and shapes of the upper and lower jaws. Class 1 (straight) profiles are common amongst the European population, but there are variations to this which are also considered normal depending on an individual’s racial origins and mix.

The inclination of the teeth can significantly affect your profile.

An orthodontist corrects crooked teeth and bad bites, while an oral & maxillo-facial surgeon solves problems related to jaw formation and misalignment (skeletal problems). In situations where both conditions are present, it’s common for the two specialists to work together, merging orthodontics and maxillo-facial surgery in a combined treatment plan, commonly known as orthognathic surgery. In other complex cases, input from other dental specialists might also be required. The expected end results of this combined approach to treatment are to improve your facial appearance, the alignment of your teeth, and the upper and lower jaw relationship.

There are many different jaw development and alignment problems that can be solved by orthognathic surgery. These problems may arise from abnormal growth, they may be genetic or even could be caused by an accident or other trauma.

The most commonly corrected problems include:

Each patient’s treatment is planned individually to make sure that the treatment approach is right for them. A full examination of the face and mouth is carried out, which includes impressions of the teeth for models or casts, special x-rays and photographs of the face and teeth. Over a series of appointments with the various specialists, discussions with you will eventually lead to a final treatment plan and the exact course of your treatment will be explained to you.



In cases where orthognathic surgery is indicated, you may require 12 to 18 months of orthodontic treatment, usually involving braces in order to get your teeth into the best position for optimal surgical results. Surgery is then scheduled when your teeth have been properly aligned. The orthodontic appliances used to align the teeth will usually be left in place during and after the surgical phase to help stabilize the teeth and jaws.

After surgery, most patients are able to return to work or social activities within 2 weeks. Advice on your engagement in sporting activities and foreign travel will be based on your predicted post-surgical recovery rate. The refinements required to bring your teeth into their final desired position may mean you will have few months of orthodontic treatment after the surgery.

Whilst it might seem daunting, it is important to understand that if you require surgical treatment it is because your case requires this kind of approach to achieve the best results. Orthognathic surgery is carried out on a much more frequent basis than most people realise and is considered to be a safe way to achieve a total makeover. After combined treatment most patients get the pleasure of benefiting from improved facial appearance, aesthetic profile, dental health and revitalised confidence.

Case Study

Age: 20 years
Problems: Protruding lower jaw, Class 3 profile and reverse overbite
Solution: Fixed braces and orthognathic surgery on both jaws for 20 months
Result: Lower jaw pushed back, profile improved to Class 1 and alignment of teeth/bite corrected