Consultant Specialist Orthodontist with over 25 years' experience
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Just as orthodontics repositions teeth, orthognathic surgery (also known as surgical orthodontics) corrects jaw irregularities and to improve the patient´s ability to chew, speak, and breathe and for improved facial appearances. In other words, surgical orthodontics straightens your jaw. Moving the jaws also moves the teeth, so braces are always performed in conjunction with jaw correction. This helps to make sure your teeth are in their proper positions after surgery.
Mary will consider combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment for adult patients whose jaws have finished growing and who have improper bite problems as well as those with facial aesthetic concerns. Jaw growth is usually completed by age 17 for girls and 18 for boys. Pre-surgical tooth movement preparations can start about one year prior to these ages. However, all growth must be completed before jaw surgery can be performed.
In order to prepare you for orthognathic surgery, your upper and lower teeth will need to be straightened with braces. The braces will need to stay in place during the surgery.
Orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon typically in a hospital setting. The surgery may take several hours depending on each individual case requirement. Once the surgery is complete, you will have about a 2 to 3 weeks rest period from university or work. After the necessary healing time (about 4–8 weeks), Mary will "fine-tunes" your bite. In most cases, braces are removed within 6 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will need to wear retainers to maintain your beautiful new smile.
For vast majority of patients, the most important reward of having orthognathic surgery is achieving a proper bite and more balanced, proportioned attractive facial aesthetics. Patients who initially worry about the appearance of their profile will tend to have more confidence in their appearance after having the combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery.
Mary is highly trained to provide each individual with a personalized, professional thorough attention in a friendly atmosphere.
She knows that in order to achieve a finest end result from this combined treatment depends on teamwork between the orthodontist and surgeon. You want to be confident that your orthodontist and surgeon takes the time to understand your needs and offers the individualized treatments that meet your expectations to create your unique smile.
Mary works closely with an elite group of highly skilled surgeons eminent in this form of combined treatment both in private practice and in the Craniofacial Unit at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She can help you to determine and recommend which type of braces will be most effective in achieving the smile you want. Furthermore, Mary is delighted to provide answers to your questions, clarify the benefits of each treatment and discuss in detail all of the options available to you.
