What is Aesthetic Jaw Surgery?
Aesthetic jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is a corrective procedure to improve the proportions of the skeletal jawbone(s) in adults. This is usually done for severe forms of skeletal malocclusions (abnormal bite patterns) that cannot be camouflaged with braces alone.
Surgery may be performed on only the upper jaw, only the lower jaw or both upper and lower jaws. Jaw surgery is almost always done in conjunction with braces.
Jaw surgery may improve your ability to chew, speak, and breathe efficiently.
How do I know if I need jaw surgery?
These are some conditions that may benefit from jaw surgery:
- Open bites
- Very protruded lower jaw/chin
- Severe underbites
- Severe overbites
- Slanted bite or jaw
- Difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing food
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Birth defects
- Traumatic fractures of the face/jaw
- Vertical Maxillary Excess resulting in a gummy smile
Aesthetic Jaw Surgery at Elite Dental
Step 1: Consultation and assessment
During your initial consultation, we will first discuss your treatment goals with you. A clinical assessment is also done to assess your bite and facial proportions.
Following the clinical assessment, photos, models and X-rays of your teeth will be taken. These records will provide more detail of your case.
In consultation with our in-house Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, we will design a comprehensive treatment plan that includes orthognathic surgery.
A preview of the final outcomes of different surgical options (single or 2 jaw surgery) can be requested (for an additional fee).
Step 2: Pre-surgical preparation
You may need to wear braces for a few months to set up your bite for the surgical correction. Any remedial basic dental work should also be completed prior to the surgery.
Step 3: Jaw surgery procedure
Jaw surgery is done under full General Anaesthesia in a hospital setting. You will be warded before (1 day before) and after (3-7 days afterward) your surgery. Hospitalization insurance and Medisave (for Singaporeans/Singapore PRs) may be used to claim some of the surgery costs.
