Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic Surgery corrects a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities.

The term Orthognathic comes from the Greek words “orthos” meaning straighten and “gnathic” meaning of or related to the jaw. Hence the term Orthognathic, meaning “straighten the jaw”.

Corrective jaw or Orthognathic Surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth. Surgery can improve chewing, speaking and breathing. While the patient's appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, Orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems.

Orthognathic surgery defines a coordinated treatment approach, including orthodontic treatment with surgical reposition of the maxilla and mandible, correcting and establishing a stable, functional balance between the teeth, jaws, and facial structures. This procedure combines diagnosis, treatment planning, and implementation to correct musculoskeletal, dento-osseous, and soft tissue deformities of the jaws and associated structures.

Cost of Jaw Surgery in Costa Rica?

Save from 50% to 70% of the prices charged in the United States or Canada by choosing to have Orthognathic Surgery.

Why Should Orthognathic Surgery Be Considered?

Orthognathic surgery is a unique endeavor in facial surgery: a patient's appearance and occlusal function can be improved significantly, impacting the patient's sense of self and well-being.

People who have issues with their jaw and have surgery to correct an improper bite resulting from misaligned teeth and/or jaws can live an easier lifestyle by improving the following:

Chewing: Surgery can help patients who have difficulties in chewing or swallowing food due to this asymmetrical position of the jaw. A reposition of the maxilla and/or mandible will make necessary daily activities such as eating, more enjoyable and efficient.

Joint Pain: When jaw surgery is completed, chronic joint pain of the jaw will no longer occur. Straining from the teeth will be reduced because the mouth will close in a more comfortable position.

Headaches: More often, people who have misaligned jaws experience headaches and pain. This pain can be eliminated with corrective jaw surgery, and less pain medication will be needed.

Sleeping: Many patients who have corrective jaw surgery are mouth breathers and have issues with breathing and sleeping. Corrective jaw surgery can eliminate sleep apnea allowing for more rest, providing energy for a more productive lifestyle.

Speech: The alignment of the teeth and jaw can affect speech. This relationship is very important in adolescent children as they learn to speak and pronounce words. When Dr. Fernandez improves the jawline, speech improves in articulation and pronunciation with no further impediments.

Conditions that may Indicate the Need for Surgery?

Abnormalities of the jaws and facial bones may be congenital (present at birth) or appear during growth and development. Approximately 20% of the population is affected by dentofacial deformities. The following list includes some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery:

Difficulty in chewing or biting food.
Difficulty swallowing.
Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache.
Excessive wear of the teeth.
Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
Speech problems.
An unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side view.
Facial injury.
Birth defects.
Receding lower jaw and chin.
Protruding jaw.
Inability to make the lips meet without straining.
Chronic mouth breathing.
Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

Best Orthognathic Surgical Team in Costa Rica

Successful Orthognathic surgery requires the cooperation of different specialists, including, but not limited to, the following:

Dr. Andrés Fernández - Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon – specialist who treats all types of pathology, defects, and injuries to the head, face, jaws, and teeth, including the removal of impacted teeth and reconstructive facial surgery.
Orthodontist- specialist in diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
Dra. Marisol Palma – Periodontist- specialist in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth, or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function, and esthetics of these structures and tissues.
Dr. Alejandro Mora - Prosthodontist, specializing in the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes Dr. Mora works closely with other members of the oral health care team in restoring natural teeth, replacing missing teeth, reconstruction in Orthognathic surgical patients, and ‘jaw joint problems’ (i.e., temporomandibular joint disorder)

Orthognathic Surgery Planning

Patient evaluation for Orthognathic Surgery is divided into four main areas:

Patient concerns or chief complaints.
Comprehensive Clinical examination.
Radiographic and imaging analysis (x-rays)
Occlusal analysis utilizing an instrument know as an articulator and mounted dental models.
Virtual computer planning: promotes a more accurate analysis of dentofacial deformity and preoperative planning. It is also an invaluable aid in providing comprehensive patient education.