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Orthodontics

Maxillofacial setting

Jaw surgery - Orthognathic surgery - Adjustment osteotomies

Jaw surgery is used for patients with extreme bite positions and significant aesthetic as well as functional losses. In other words, when there is massive forward or backward displacement of the jaw bases, or the bite is wide open at the front. In this case, both the upper and lower jaw teeth are brought into a perfect arch shape, i.e. straightened.  Then the two jaw bases are surgically placed in the correct position in relation to each other and in relation to the face. A significant profile change can also be observed at the end of treatment, which is expressly desired by some patients.

What does jaw surgery mean ?

Once the rows of teeth have been shaped with braces, virtual or physical models are used to check whether the jaws fit together with the straightened teeth. If this is the case, an appointment for surgery can be made. Surgery means: general anesthesia and a hospital stay of varying length depending on the type of surgery. The exact information about the procedures, costs and risks of an oral surgery setting can always be obtained from the respective oral surgeon before the braces treatment begins. If surgery in a private hospital is desired, we work with Priv. Doz. DDr. Arno Wutzl in the Evangelical Hospital. Consultation hours are currently Thursday 8:00 to 9:00 A.M. For more information, see here.

Preparation for maxillofacial surgery

Pre-treatment, i.e. shaping of the dental arches, is carried out with fixed braces or invisible braces (aligners), depending on the patient's requirements or wishes. This is followed by the adjustment of the jaws to each other by means of oral surgery. This is followed by a fine-tuning phase in which the rows of teeth are keyed to each other, i.e. a sound bite is set.

Alternatives for jaw surgery

In the case of open bites, the use of invisible braces can avoid oral surgery. For more information, see Modified Sato Method. In principle, there are always ways to avoid oral surgery. However, this always means a compromise treatment whose advantages and disadvantages must be discussed depending on the patient's case.