Dysgnathia, prognathism – correction of the jaw misalignment
Dysgnathia – the medical term for a misalignment of the jaw – can cause far-reaching issues and is often accompanied by misaligned teeth. The transition from surgical procedures for aesthetic reasons to medical necessity in cases of dysgnathia is sometimes fluid.
A receding chin or a too-small lower jaw not only affects the appearance but can also impact health, as it can lead to snoring, sleep apnea, impaired chewing function, and other issues.
The braces
Millions of children and adolescents wear braces to later show two flawless and healthy rows of teeth when they smile. As a common treatment method for dental misalignments, braces and headgear gently move misaligned teeth into the desired position over months and years. Sometimes, it may also be necessary to extract teeth to provide enough space for the remaining ones.
However, often an exclusively orthodontic treatment is not sufficient to achieve both a good tooth alignment without forcing the jaw joints into position and an attractive appearance. In such cases, close collaboration between oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and the treating dentist is the key to success.
Duration of the treatment
2–3 Hours
Fit for everyday life
After 10 days
Follow-up treatment
Suture removal after 14 days, lymphatic drainage, and special dressing
Clinic stay
Inpatient
The most frequently asked questions
What is dysgnathia, and what problems can arise from it?
Dysgnathia is the medical term for a jaw misalignment, which is often accompanied by dental misalignment. It can not only affect appearance but also cause health issues such as snoring, sleep apnea, and impaired chewing function.
How is dysgnathia treated at SailerClinic?
The treatment typically involves the repositioning of the upper and/or lower jaw, following an orthodontic pre-treatment. A personalized treatment plan is created for each patient, taking both functional and aesthetic aspects into account.
How long does the surgery and hospital stay last?
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts between three and six hours, depending on the complexity. An inpatient stay of about three days is required to monitor the healing process.
How long does the recovery phase after dysgnathia surgery last?
After discharge, you should plan for up to 14 days of recovery time. The jaw should be rested for up to four weeks, and it is recommended to consume only soft food during this period.
What results can I expect after a dysgnathia surgery?
After dysgnathia surgery, you can expect a harmonious facial profile and an optimally functional jaw alignment. The treatment is tailored to your individual needs to achieve both functional and aesthetic improvements.
Is the dysgnathia surgery suitable for me?
Whether a dysgnathia therapy is the right choice for you depends on your individual needs and desires. Schedule a consultation at SailerClinic to address any questions you may have and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Dysgnathia therapy
Treatments involving the jaw and teeth significantly alter facial aesthetics and therefore require a deep understanding of the complex relationships within the face. The correction of dysgnathia is one of the most common surgeries performed at our clinic.
In most cases, both the upper and lower jaw need to be repositioned, typically following an orthodontic pre-treatment. Less commonly, orthodontic treatment is carried out after the surgery. Unfortunately, about 20% of our dysgnathia surgeries are corrective procedures following unsatisfactory previous surgeries at other institutions.
Approximately 20% of our patients have previously undergone solely orthodontic treatment but are still dissatisfied with their facial aesthetics despite correct dental alignment. For this patient group, we have developed specialized surgical methods that achieve excellent aesthetic results without altering the dental alignment.
Since every case is unique, we create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Feel free to reach out to our experts and receive comprehensive advice. Together, we will plan your treatment according to your preferences to achieve optimal and lasting results.
Progeny OP procedure and distal bite
For an experienced surgeon, it is irrelevant whether there is a distal bite (retracted lower jaw) or progeny (protruding lower jaw). What matters more is the planning concept of the jaw surgery for dysgnathia or progeny and the treatment goal: a harmonious facial profile combined with functionally optimal teeth and jaw alignment. Progeny before-and-after photos can clearly demonstrate the changes that are possible through surgery.
Before-and-after pictures
Correction of jaw asymmetries
The correction of jaw asymmetries is significantly more challenging and poses a great challenge even for experienced surgeons. This is why this area often results in the most correctional procedures or additional surgeries. The causes can lie in either the upper or lower jaw – in both cases, precision and planning accuracy are essential.
Deformation of the lower jaw
The difficulty lies, on the one hand, in the deformation of the lower jaw with often extremely narrow ascending branches (Rami mandibulares). This is a misalignment that can only be treated with extensive surgical experience. A personal consultation and planning appointment at our facility is therefore essential to achieve your individually tailored result.
The difficulty of the adjustment
On the other hand, challenges arise in the adjustment of the upper or lower jaw complex, which must be digitally planned before the surgery and brought into the exact position using an intraoperative splint. For the splitting of the ascending branches of the lower jaw, we use the piezo device, which cuts through the bone using ultrasound but does not harm the nerve running within the bone.
The path to your desired result: Careful planning tailored to your needs
The foundation for a successful treatment is laid during the first consultation. In several intensive planning sessions, we work together with you to develop an individual goal that takes your aesthetic desires into account as much as possible.
The methods used to treat dysgnathia make it possible to transform a receding or average face into an extremely attractive one. Naturally, impressions of the expected results are also available for you – as many of our patients have generously allowed their dysgnathia surgery before-and-after photos to be shared with other interested individuals. This allows you to see real examples of dysgnathia surgeries performed at the SailerClinic, giving you a clear idea of what you can look forward to after your procedure and enabling you to express more specific treatment wishes if desired.
The consultations associated with dysgnathia therapy require time and patience – an investment that is well worth it. After all, it concerns permanent changes to your face that not only resolve functional problems but also enhance aesthetics. The healing process after dysgnathia therapy is also time-consuming. If you’re now wondering, “After dysgnathia surgery, how long will I be sick or how long should I refrain from working?” we invite you to refer to the next section.
Recovery phase after dysgnathia surgery
Dysgnathia therapy or surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes between three and six hours, depending on the complexity. Following the dysgnathia therapy, a hospital stay of approximately three days is required. The duration depends on the type and extent of the surgery and the individual healing process. Shortly after the procedure, you will be able to speak again and consume soft foods. Due to potential swelling and the need to rest the jaw, these activities may initially be somewhat limited but will improve as healing progresses.
After being discharged, you should plan for up to fourteen days of recovery time to avoid negatively impacting the results of your treatment. You should rest your jaw for up to four weeks after the surgery and consume only soft foods during this time. While dysgnathia therapy or progeny therapy is complex, it offers lasting success and provides a harmonious facial profile.
Are you unsure whether dysgnathia treatment is the right choice for you? Let’s talk about it – we’re happy to answer your questions without obligation! Together, we will develop the ideal solution for you, tailored to your wishes and needs.
Your expert team
Martin Lanzer PD Dr. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent., eMBA
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, clinic director and CEO
Hermann F. Sailer Prof. Dr. med., Dr. med. dent., Dr. h. c. mult., Dr. sc. h. c. mult.
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, founder of the clinic, senior director
Do you have questions? Contact us.
Get in touch with us – Our expert team will contact you.
"After the surgery, I finally see the person I’ve always been on the inside. My confidence has increased tremendously, and I no longer hide from the world. Thank you to the team."
Angela B., Aesthetic Surgery Patient
