Mandibular surgery

Individuals with overbites (mandibular deficiency) and underbites (mandibular excess) can be treated with moving the lower jaw to the upper jaw. The surgery requires an outpatient visit at the hospital. Surgery is called a BSSO (Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy).

	Mandibular Surgery - Bilateral Sagittal Split
	Example 1
	Example 2
BEFORE					AFTER

The lower jaw is separated so that the bones can slide along each other. The bones are then secured with screws or plates. Following surgery, patients can open their mouths but they have elastics guiding them into their new bites. At the end of the first week, individuals can chew a light meal. This is dramatically different compared to the technique used prior to internal screws/plates. Before the use of screws/plates individuals had their teeth "wired shut" for 6-8 weeks. Today individuals can open immediately after surgery.

BILATERAL SAGITTAL RAMUS OSTEOTOMY
Reprinted from Dentofacial Deformities: Surgical-Orthodontic Correction © 1980 Mosey, with permission from Elsevier.