Hello. This is Woori Plastic Surgery.
During consultations, patients often ask why orthodontic treatment is always mentioned in double jaw surgery, unlike contouring surgery.
Today, let’s take a look with Director Lim at why orthodontics is needed in double jaw surgery.
What Is the Purpose of Double Jaw Surgery?
It is easy to mistakenly think that double jaw surgery is performed only for aesthetic reasons, but in essence, it is a functional surgery to correct malocclusion.
If the jaw bones (upper jaw and lower jaw) are in abnormal positions, the teeth may not fit together properly, causing various problems such as difficulty eating, unclear speech, and facial asymmetry.
In other words, the basic role of double jaw surgery is to realign the skeletal position and thereby guide the teeth into a normal bite, making it a treatment-oriented surgery.
Why Orthodontics Is Needed
Double jaw surgery is not simply a procedure that cuts and moves the jaw bones. Instead, it involves carefully planning the direction, angle, and extent of movement of the upper and lower jaws based on how the teeth fit together. At this time, if the teeth are irregularly aligned or there is significant protrusion or rotation, it becomes difficult to plan the surgery accurately.
In particular, when there are problems with the position of the upper and lower jaws, such as an underbite, a recessed chin, or asymmetry, it becomes a difficult surgery if the reference points are not properly set.
The Important Role of Double Jaw Surgery
In the case of an underbite, the lower jaw is positioned abnormally, but the upper jaw is also positioned abnormally. Double jaw surgery is performed to move both into normal positions. However, in the process of double jaw surgery, where movement is planned based on reference points—how far to move, in which direction, and by how many degrees—the plan is determined with the help of how the teeth fit together, that is, orthodontic treatment.
In double jaw surgery, a device called a wafer is used to fix the jaw position during surgery. This device is a plastic mold made to replicate the patient’s bite and is divided into two types.
Intermediate Wafer
An intermediate device used in the stage after only the upper jaw has been moved and before aligning the lower jaw based on that position
Final Wafer
A device that maintains the completed bite after the lower jaw has also been moved to its final position
Today, we looked at why orthodontics is needed during the double jaw surgery process. Double jaw surgery is also performed to improve appearance, but its essence is surgery for functional recovery. The movement of the jaw bones is not for simple cosmetic purposes, but for accurate tooth occlusion and restoration of temporomandibular joint function, and orthodontics is what makes this possible.
At Woori Plastic Surgery, we establish precise surgical plans along with accurate diagnosis, and through collaboration with specialized orthodontic medical staff, we help deliver more refined double jaw surgery results.
If you have any questions, please contact the hospital and we will answer them.
Thank you.
