Orthognathic Surgery in Ft. Lauderdale

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What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic means "straight" jaws. Orthognathic surgery is a procedure done to correct tooth position as well as correct jaw alignment. The goals of orthognathic surgery are to help correct problems associated with chewing, speech and breathing, will improving patients' appearance by balancing the jaw structures.

Orthognathic Surgery Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of orthognathic surgery, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to orthognathic surgery are discussed.

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Reasons To Undergo Orthognathic Surgery

  • Problems chewing
  • Problems swallowing
  • Speech difficulty
  • Chronic jaw pain
  • Excessive tooth wear
  • Teeth do not come together properly
  • Unbalanced facial appearance
  • Excessive or receding jaws
  • Inability to bring the lips together chronic mouth breathing
  • Sleep apnea

Although many bite related problems can be corrected by orthodontics alone, it is estimated that 10% of this population may benefit from orthognathic surgery. A team approach, including your surgeon, orthodontist, as well as your dentist will get together and plan your care.

What Should I Expect At My Orthognathic Surgery Consultation?

It is important that Dr. Sultan and your orthodontist work together closely throughout you treatment. It is advantageous to have both an orthodontic and surgical consultation before orthodontics is begun. As total treatment time may take approximately 2 years, proper planning is important to achieve the optimal result in an efficient time period.

At the initial treatment planning phase, a detailed discussion will take place regarding the sequencing of treatment, any additional dental care, and other adjunctive procedures.

Utilizing our Simplant® 3D treatment planning software, Dr. Sultan can virtually plan every aspect of your surgical procedure with more accuracy than conventional techniques:

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Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

During this period, your teeth will be aligned with respect to each individual jaw. This is termed "decompensation". In fact, it may seem that your bite will look worse, rather than better, during this period. Many times, this is actually the case. This type of tooth movement actually allows the surgical procedure to have a more predictable, stable result. Also, during this phase, you may undergo removal of impacted wisdom teeth, temporary restorative dental work. This period may last 8-18 months.

Orthognathic Surgical Procedure

Your surgery may involve repositioning of the upper jaw, lower jaw, the chin, or a combination of the above. Each individual jaw may need to be sectioned in more than one component in order for the teeth to line up properly. The entire surgical procedure is meticulously planned to ensure accurate, exact (to within a millimeter!) by Dr. Sultan prior to the actual surgery by the use of x-rays, models, photographs, and specially designed acrylic wafers to line up the jaws properly during surgery. Most procedures are done in the hospital, either as an outpatient or with an overnight stay.

What Our Patients are Saying

"A very enjoyable experience from making the appointment all the way through understanding the treatment options. I appreciated the quick wait time, the helpfulness of the staff, and the doctor’s understanding. I felt like all my concerns were heard and all my questions were answered. I also appreciated how Dr. Sultan saw me as a whole patient. He not only discussed the reason for my visit, but my entire health. I am grateful he took the time to allow me to understand issues I was not even aware of. I look forward to working with him further in the future. I Would definitely recommend Dr. Sultan to everyone looking for an oral surgeon."

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Postoperative Care And Orthodontics

The majority of patients return to daily activities with limitation after 1-2 weeks. Due to modern advances in bone healing, the use of plates and screws to secure the repositioned bones allow most patients to avoid having their jaws wired shut. Orthodontics is usually completed in approximately 6 months after surgical healing. Final restorative and periodontal care can then be done. If additional cosmetic procedures are desired (e.g. rhinoplasty) it is done at this time. It is important to maintain a regular maintenance schedule of visits yearly with both Dr. Sultan and your orthodontist.

Orthognathic Surgery Before & After Photos

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Before Surgery
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After Surgery
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Before Surgery
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After Surgery

Deficient Lower Jaw

Excessive Lower Jaw

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Before Surgery
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After Surgery
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Before Surgery
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After Surgery

Excessive Upper Jaw

Now-Aligned Jaw

Combination Deficient Upper / Excessive Lower Jaw

patient 1 profile before
Before Surgery
patient 1 profile after
After Surgery
patient 1 progress
Beginning Orthodontics
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Ready for Surgery
patient 1 after
After Surgery

Deficient Lower Jaw / Open Bite

Before Surgery

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patient 2 before

After Surgery

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Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE)

SARPE may be indicated for those patients who have a narrow upper jaw that does not align properly with the lower jaw. Clinically, they present with a CROSSBITE. Many times they also have a deficiency of the upper jaw resulting in an UNDERBITE. In growing patients, the mid-portion of the upper jaw (palatal suture) is incompletely formed, and expansion can be performed non-surgically with an orthodontic appliance.

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However, in adult patients, this suture is fused and cannot be expanded without surgery. Depending upon the amount of expansion required, Dr. Sultan and your orthodontist will determine whether a SARPE or a multiple section MAXILLARY OSTEOTOMY is indicated. A SARPE is normally performed as a separate procedure prior to orthognathic surgery. The technique is based on the principle of DISTRACTION OSTEOGENESIS

How Is An Orthognathic Procedure Performed?

Prior to the procedure, your orthodontist will apply an expansion device to your upper teeth across the palate. Surgery involves an incision inside the upper lip. The bones of the upper jaw and palate are incompletely split. The orthodontic appliance is then activated by a special wire key in order to gently widen the upper jaw.  One week after surgery, the upper jaw is expanded a small amount each day until the desired distance is achieved, normally within a period of 2 weeks.

How Long Does Orthognathic Surgery Take?

The procedure normally takes less than one hour.

Does An Orthognathic Procedure Require Anesthesia?

SARPE can be performed safely in our hospital-style operating room under sedation or general anesthesia.

How Long Does The Bone Take To Heal?

The bone will need to heal for 3-6 months before orthodontic tooth movement and/or additional jaw surgery can be performed.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disease caused by a blockage in the airway, not allowing enough oxygen arriving at the brain during sleep.

Jaw (Maxillomandibular) Advancement For Sleep Apnea

Some patients with Obsttructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome have deficiencies in either the upper jaw (MAXILLA), lower jaw (MANDIBLE) or both. By advancing either one or both jaws, significant opening of the airway can be achieved. Studies have shown a high percentage of success in curing sleep apnea with this procedure. When patients have an uneven bite (MALOCCLUSION) along the jaw deficiency, treatment can be coordinated with orthodontics to correct both. Due to advanced techniques in fixating the jaws, patients do not have to have their jaws wired shut following surgery, and usually experience major relief of symptoms soon after surgery.

Please refer to the jaw advancement portion of the sleep apnea section for a more thorough discussion of the subject.

What Kind of Diet Should I Follow After Orthognathic Surgery?

Since orthognathic surgery is an extensive procedure, you will need to follow the doctor’s orders when it comes to your recovery. It will take a while for your mouth to heal fully, so you will not be able to eat your current diet. During the first few days of recovery, you can expect to eat an all-liquid diet.

Chewing as you are recovering from orthognathic surgery can cause unwanted problems and even increase your risk of needing a revision operation. An all-liquid diet includes broth, milkshakes, and smoothies. It is important to get the proper nutrition, which is why it is recommended to consume high-protein shakes or smoothies.

As your healing progresses, you can transition from liquids to pureed or blended foods. These foods can include applesauce, mashed potatoes, pureed vegetables, and yogurt. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated, avoid any hard or sticky foods, and consult the doctor if you have any questions in regard to your recovery.

What Does Orthognathic Surgery Help Treat?

Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that aims to correct a person’s bite and address any other skeletal or dental irregularities. In some cases, this type of surgery can also help enhance a person’s appearance as well.

Below is a list of the conditions orthognathic surgery can help treat:

  • Malocclusion
  • Underbite
  • Overbite
  • Jaw misalignment
  • Temporomandibular joint disorders
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Sleep apnea
  • Receding chin
  • Facial injuries

Before you can undergo orthognathic surgery, you will need to be deemed an eligible candidate for it by Dr. Sultan. He will assess the structure of your jaw and medical history during your consultation with him. If you are not an eligible candidate, he will recommend alternative forms of treatment, such as wearing a dental device, using a mouthguard, or Botox injections.

Consult Dr. Sultan For Orthgnathic Surgery In Fort Lauderdale!

To learn more about our Orthgnathic Surgery treatment options, please call us at 954.771.8772 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leslie Sultan today. You can also fill out the appointment request form in our contact page. Sultan Surgery Center is proud to serve Fort Lauderdale, FL and the surrounding areas.

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