Jaw Deformities
Many types of jaw deformities are treated here at the International Craniofacial Institute.
Long Maxilla
In certain patients with congenital abnormalities, there may be elongation of the maxilla. There is much "show" when the patient smiles so that there is a so-called "gummy" smile. This is due to the upper jaw being too long.
This can be corrected with surgical orthodontic treatment.
Macrogenia
Macrogenia is defined as a large chin out of proportion to a person's facial features.
Surgery to shorten or setback the chin often results in a more balanced profile.
Macrognathia
The mandible has not grown as much as it should resulting in a small mandible and chin.
This can be corrected with, depending on the degree of deformity and problem, advancement of the mandible and advancement of the chin surgically. The correction is done intraorally without any incisions on the face, and it is preceded by orthodontic treatment to align the teeth prior to proper surgical treatment.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the term used to describe improper alignment of the teeth in relation to the first molars. In addition, an over-bite, under-bite or cross bite can occur.
Malocclusion can be caused by an abnormality in the size and/or relationship of the maxilla and mandible. Serious problems can arise in the patients ability to speak, eat, and maintain good oral hygiene. This may also cause pain, degeneration, and clicking.
Orthognathic (or jaw surgery) in combination with orthodontic therapy can give a normal occlusion along with improvement in a person's appearance.
Microgenia
Microgenia is defined as an abnormally small chin out of proportion to a persons facial features. This is seen quite commonly and can cause what is a normal nose to appear abnormally large.
A simple surgical procedure can be performed to bring out the chin and give a more aesthetic profile.
Micrognathia
The mandible has not grown as much as it should resulting in a small mandible and chin.
This can be corrected with, depending on the degree of deformity and problem, advancement of the mandible and advancement of the chin surgically. The correction is done intraorally without any incisions on the face, and it is preceded by orthodontic treatment to align the teeth prior to proper surgical treatment.
Short Maxilla
If the upper jaw is short, then the teeth do not show, and occlusion may also be abnormal. In certain congenital and other post-traumatic deformities, congenital and other post-traumaticdeformities, there may be a short upper jaw or maxilla.
This can be corrected with surgical orthodontic treatment by properly aligning the teeth and then moving surgically and elongating the short maxilla in order for three to four millimeters of the upper central incisors to show when an individual is smiling.