# Orthognathic surgery
Orthognathic surgery is aimed at correcting the position of the jaws. During surgery, the jaws are moved into a favorable position and fixated. The purpose is to achieve normal skeletal relationships. The surgery can involve the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both jaws together. Among the common deformities in the jaws, we can name:
- Forward position of the lower jaw: a disorder that gives the person the appearance of a lower jaw that is too prominent, and is emphasized mainly when viewed from the side (profile view). A certain degree of anterior position in men can be acceptable, while in women, a forward position of the lower jaw gives a "masculine" appearance and is not aesthetically acceptable.
- Backward position of the lower jaw: this disorder gives the feeling of a small lower jaw, and gives a babyish look that is perceived as a recessive look.
- Increased height of the upper jaw or too forward position of the upper jaw: people who suffer from these disorders will suffer from gummy smile, which means excessive exposure of the gingiva while smiling. In severe cases there will be even excessive exposure of the teeth at rest position, without smiling, giving the patient a "bunny" look.
- Reduced height of the upper jaw or a backward position of the upper jaw: these defects will give an "aged" appearance and a toothless smile, which contributes to an "elderly" appearance of the face.
- Deviation in the jaws and asymmetry in the face: there are many patterns of asymmetry in the face, and all of them are automatically linked to an unaesthetic appearance, which is also perceived as unhealthy and unreliable.
Orthodontic treatment is often necessary before the orthognathic surgery to achieve optimal results. Before surgery, an analysis of the position of the jaws, planning of the desired surgical movements, and a prediction of the expected results are made. The orthognathic surgery is usually done with a surgical approach from the mucous membranes of the oral cavity to avoid external scars on the facial skin.
