Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is the surgical correction of congenital, developmental or acquired defects in the way the upper and lower jaws relate to one another and to the cranial base. It corrects facial disharmonies such as "long-face syndrome," protruding or receding lower jaws or chins, protruding or receding upper jaws, open bites, and severe malocclusion not amenable to conventional and more conservative orthodontic treatment. Orthognathic surgery is performed by dental specialists, called oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Because the surgery is always major surgery and often life-endangering surgery, there are many lawsuits filed each year against oral surgeons for claims of negligence. Oral surgeons are highly skilled and often have to defend themselves in lawsuits because of surgical results which don't meet unrealistic patient expectations.