What is Upper Jaw or Maxillary Orthognathic Surgery
Transform Your Smile and Function with Upper Jaw Surgery in Jacksonville, FL, by Dr. Richard W. Joseph. If you are considering upper jaw surgery, also known as maxillary orthognathic surgery, in Jacksonville to address mid-facial skeletal abnormalities, misaligned upper jaws, or dental irregularities, Dr. Richard W. Joseph offers specialized expertise. Understanding the complex anatomy of the upper jaw (maxilla), the largest bone in the mid-face forming key structures like the eye socket and sinuses, Dr. Joseph utilizes orthognathic upper jaw surgery to improve both aesthetics and function. His skilled application of oral and maxillofacial surgery enhances not only a patient’s smile and appearance but also their ability to chew, speak, and breathe more effectively.
Choosing Dr. Joseph for your upper jaw surgery in Jacksonville can also lead to relief from associated problems like facial pain, headaches, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. While the enhancement of facial appearance is a significant benefit of orthognathic surgery, Dr. Joseph’s primary goal is to correct the underlying functional issues, leading to long-term improvements in his patients’ lives in Jacksonville.
Dr. Joseph’s approach to upper jaw surgery, sometimes referred to as Le Fort maxillary surgery, involves the careful repositioning of all or part of the maxilla. He may perform this to correct various issues, including an underbite (small upper jaw), a gummy smile (long upper jaw), or a short mid-face (requiring vertical lengthening to show more teeth when smiling). Upper jaw surgery can also correct an open bite. Often, Dr. Joseph may recommend a combined upper and lower jaw procedure known as “double jaw surgery.” In certain circumstances, he may also perform concurrent facial cosmetic procedures to achieve comprehensive facial balance for his Jacksonville patients.
Who Needs Orthognathic Upper Jaw Surgery?
People who benefit from orthognathic upper jaw surgery are those who are misaligned teeth and jaws creating an improper bite, which may be an under-bite overbite or open-bite. Jaw growth is a gradual process, and the upper and lower jaws may occasionally grow at different rates. This can cause functional problems including difficulty with chewing, speaking, breathing, sleeping and overall oral health. A severe misalignment may affect a person’s appearance and produce psychological or emotional problems.
Jaw or head injuries and birth defects may also affect jaw alignment. Orthodontic braces correct bite problems caused by tooth misalignment, and Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw misalignment.
Conditions that may Need Orthognathic Upper Jaw Surgery:
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
- Excessive wear on the teeth
- Under bite
- Overbite
- Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
- Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side
- Facial injury or birth defects
- Receding upper jaw or sunken appearance of the midface
- Protruding upper jaw
- Long upper jaw “gummy smile”
- Inability to make one’s lips meet without straining
- Breathing Problems – Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)
- Speech Problems
Upper Jaw Surgery may also involve treatment of:
- Lower Jaw (Mandible)
- Cheekbones
- Nasal Bones
- Other Facial Bones
What are the Benefits of Upper Jaw Surgery?
Orthognathic Surgery in Jacksonville, FL: Dr. Richard W. Joseph’s Artistic Approach.
Dr. Richard W. Joseph is a distinguished orthognathic surgeon in Jacksonville, Florida. He brings an artistic perspective to orthognathic surgery. This surgery repositions teeth and jaws for better balance, function, and health. While improving bite and jaw function is key, patients often see better appearance, breathing, and speech. As a portrait artist and sculptor, Dr. Joseph has a keen eye for facial harmony. Orthognathic surgery with him can boost self-esteem and confidence.
Bite Correction and Chewing Improvement.
Upper jaw surgery, a part of orthognathic surgery by Dr. Joseph, often greatly improves chewing. Patients can often eat foods they couldn’t before. His artistic understanding of facial structure guides his surgery.
Jaw Pain Reduction.
Many Jacksonville patients of Dr. Joseph report less jaw pain after orthognathic surgery. While total pain elimination isn’t guaranteed, surgery to correct jaw position often provides relief.
Improved Facial Appearance: An Artist’s Perspective.
Dr. Joseph’s background as a portrait artist and sculptor enhances his approach to upper jaw surgery. He has a strong appreciation for facial balance and harmony. This helps correct bite issues and improve appearance.
Breathing Improvement.
Dr. Joseph’s expertise in upper jaw orthognathic surgery aims for facial balance and often improves breathing. Corrective jaw surgery can also help with sleep apnea.
Speech Improvement.
Proper jaw alignment through orthognathic surgery with Dr. Joseph can aid normal speech. He may advise combining surgery with speech therapy.
Shorter Treatment Time: A Coordinated Plan.
Dr. Joseph expertly coordinates orthodontics with orthognathic surgery. This often leads to shorter overall treatment due to the impact of surgical jaw repositioning. His artistic visualization helps in planning.
The Maxillary Surgical Procedure
Upper jaw surgery is usually performed in the hospital and may require you to stay overnight. Some cases may be done as an outpatient allowing you to go home after recovering from anesthesia. The duration of orthognathic surgery varies with the type of surgery and the severity of the abnormality. Dr. Joseph will give you an idea of approximate time required for your particular surgery.
Upper Jaw Surgery (Lefort Surgery)
Understanding Maxillary (Upper Jaw) Orthognathic Surgery: Insights from Dr. Richard W. Joseph in Jacksonville, FL.
Upper jaw surgery, also known as maxillary orthognathic surgery or Lefort surgery, is a specialized procedure expertly performed by **oral and maxillofacial surgeons** like Dr. Richard W. Joseph in Jacksonville, Florida. This surgery addresses mid-facial skeletal abnormalities, misaligned upper jaws (the maxilla), and dental irregularities. The maxilla is a significant bone in the mid-face, forming the lower portion of the eye socket (orbit), containing the nasal passages and maxillary sinuses, as well as the nasal turbinates, which play a crucial role in humidifying the air we breathe. Dr. Joseph’s precise application of maxillary orthognathic surgery aims to improve not only a patient’s smile and facial appearance but also essential functions like chewing, speaking, and breathing.
During upper jaw or maxillary Lefort surgery, Dr. Joseph carefully separates the upper jaw from its base and then precisely repositions it – moving it up, down, forward, or backward – according to your specific needs. To achieve optimal results, the maxilla may also be carefully cut or divided into multiple segments to expand, constrict, or reshape the jaw. Dr. Joseph may also need to add bone (bone grafting), remove bone, or reshape existing bone to create the desired alignment. To securely hold your jaw in its new, corrected position, Dr. Joseph utilizes tiny titanium surgical plates and screws.