Key Takeaways
- Double jaw surgery is a surgical realignment of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.
- Double jaw surgery is performed on patients with jaw misalignment, bite problems (malocclusion), or facial asymmetry that cannot be addressed by braces alone.
- Double jaw surgery can address these common issues: bite problems (malocclusion), difficulty in chewing, biting or speaking, chronic jaw pain, sleep apnoea, elongated facial structure, facial asymmetry, and protruding or retruding chin.
- Double jaw surgery can help with easier speaking, chewing, and breathing, and improve facial proportions.
A misaligned jaw can cause issues with breathing, chewing, speaking and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Double jaw surgery may offer a long-term solution to correct jaw issues that may not be addressed with braces alone. Learning more about the surgical procedure will give you peace of mind and allow you to make informed and clear decisions. If you’re considering double jaw surgery this guide will take you through the procedure, and explain what to expect along the way.
Assessed by an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
At TES Clinic, double jaw surgery assessment and treatment planning are carried out by Dr Seah Tian Ee, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with clinical interests in the areas of combined rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery, non-surgical and surgical facial aesthetic procedures, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders and oral-maxillofacial pathology.
What is Double Jaw Surgery?
Double jaw surgery is also known as bimaxillary osteotomy and orthognathic surgery. It is classed under orthognathic surgery (“orthognathic” means ‘straight jaw’ in Greek), and therefore double jaw surgery is a procedure designed to correct the alignment of the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible).
Double jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon while the patient is under general anaesthesia. Unlike cosmetic procedures that solely correct the soft tissue in the face, double jaw surgery addresses structural and functional issues by ensuring your jaws and teeth align, as well as enhancing your facial symmetry.
The double jaw surgery procedure aims to:
- Realign jaws for improved functionality
- Enhance facial symmetry
- Address issues such as sleep apnoea, chewing and speech difficulties
What Conditions Can Double Jaw Surgery Treat?
Double jaw surgery is recommended for patients who are experiencing the following main issues:
Acute jaw misalignment
Double jaw surgery is recommended for patients who are experiencing the following main issues:
Facial Asymmetry
Noticeable imbalances in facial structure can be corrected with surgery, resulting in a more esthetic, balanced look.
Breathing and Sleep Issues
Patients with breathing difficulties or conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea, which are caused by the position of their jaws. Sometimes, the jaw bones obstructs the airway. Realigning the jaw opens up the airways and may allow more oxygen to reach your brain.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD)
Patients with skeletal discrepancies in their jaw may be predisposed to TMJD. This is due to excessive pressure on the TMJ from an imbalanced bite and thus uneven, excessive pressure on the TMJ. Orthognathic surgery can help reduce the chances of TMJD by restoring the patient’s bite through alignment of the upper and lower jaw. This helps to facilitate proper TMJ function and health.
Who Needs Double Jaw Surgery?
Not every person with jaw problems requires surgery, although some patients may need it to address issues of a skeletal and mechanical nature. If you experience some of the following symptoms, you could be a potential candidate for double jaw surgery:
- Difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing food with an obvious under or overbite
- Congenital facial deformities
- Severe pain caused by malocclusion
- Obvious facial asymmetry, such as a misalignment of the upper and lower jaws
- A significant gap between upper and lower teeth
- Elongated facial structure or shortened facial structure
- Gummy smile; also known as excessive gingival display
- Protrusion or retraction of the chin
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
Remedying these issues with double jaw surgery may help restore a more proportionate appearance in your face and jaw.
What Are the Causes of Jaw Abnormalities?
There is no single factor that causes jaw abnormalities. They usually stem from a combination of various factors and conditions experienced throughout a patient’s life. Some can be congenital, while others could be acquired later in life as an aberration of their development or trauma from an accident.
Understanding the myriad factors involved in jaw abnormalities is useful for diagnosis and selection of treatment methods to suited for you. Your doctor will assess your features and explain more after assessment.
What is Involved in Double Jaw Surgery Treatment?
Double jaw surgery needs meticulous preparation and skilled execution. Here is what you can expect throughout the three stages of the treatment process:
1. Pre-Surgery Planning
Your orthodontist and surgeon create a personalised treatment blueprint. They use advanced tools such as detailed imaging, X-rays, and create models of your teeth and jaws.
2. The Surgery
The operation is carried out while you are under general anaesthesia. The upper and lower jaws are repositioned for accurate alignment. As soon as the new alignments are confirmed, the jaw positions are secured using plates, screws, or wires.
3. Post-Surgery Recovery
Time and patience are needed for healing. You can expect swelling and need to follow strict dietary restrictions. While most patients can resume their typical daily activities within a few weeks, a full recovery can take several months. Follow-up appointments will be vital to monitor your progress.
What Are the Benefits of Double Jaw Surgery?
Easier Jaw Function
Repositioning the jaw may allow for easier chewing and clearer speech, making daily communication and meals much more enjoyable. For those with obstructive sleep apnoea, the surgery unblocks the airway and enhances breathing. This leads to better sleep quality by enhancing airway function.
A More Balanced Facial Profile
By aligning both the upper and lower jaws, the procedure creates greater facial harmony, resulting in a more balanced and proportionate look.
Long-Term Health Benefits
Fixing severe misalignments can help to prevent future dental issues, such as uneven wear on teeth, chronic jaw joint pain, and gum problems, helping to prevent dental issues such as uneven tooth wear, gum problems, and jaw joint pain.
Why Choose TES Clinic for Double Jaw Surgery
Personalised Approach for Patient's Condition
We are able to tailor double jaw treatment to individual features.
Integrated Treatment Planning
We can provide integrated treatment as part of your double jaw surgery plan, ensuring better alignment and long-term results.
Collaborative Care
We work closely with leading dental teams and orthodontists to ensure a proper bite alignment, facial balance, and functional outcomes.
Double Jaw Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Recovery Time Post-Surgery?
Recovery will take time, and it depends on the existing health of each individual patient. Returning to a normal routine takes a few weeks. A full recovery could take a few months.
What Are the Risks of Double Jaw Surgery?
No surgery is completely risk-free, understanding any possible complications will help you arrive at an informed decision. There may be some risk of numbness in the lips, chin and tongue; and jaw relapse, whereby the jaw moves back to its original position. However, there are also multiple benefits to surgery. The pros and cons will be outlined with your surgeon.
If you are considering a treatment pathway like double jaw surgery or other orthognathic procedures, we understand that you may have questions about the process! We can also help with other related oral and maxillofacial topics.
Contact TES Clinic for further enquiries.
OUR DOCTOR
Double Jaw Surgery Consultation with Dr Seah
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr Seah Tian Ee is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with a special interest in facial aesthetic procedures and the correction of jaw anomalies.
He was the scholarship recipient of the Health Manpower Development Programme in 2009 and trained in the United Kingdom for facial aesthetic surgery.
Dr Seah is the course director for the “Botulinum Toxin Injection Workshop” for the Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Singapore; and is a lecturer and instructor at the annual “International Cadaver Workshop on Facial Contouring & Maxillofacial Aesthetic Surgery” in Korea.
His clinical interests are in the areas of combined rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery, non-surgical and surgical facial aesthetic procedures, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders and oral-maxillofacial pathology. He also does routine oral surgery such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants etc.