TMJ stands for Temporomandibular joint. This joint is commonly referred to as the jaw joint and it assists in the opening and closing of the jaw. Many reasons are said to cause problems to the TMJ. So can Orthognathic Surgery fix TMJ problems?
What is Orthognathic Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery or Orthognathic surgery is essential in treating and correcting abnormalities of the facial bones. Orthognathic surgery aims at treating conditions that often lead to problems in chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects such problems and improves the overall appearance and facial profile of the person.
Each surgery is thoroughly planned using digital imaging technology which will demonstrate the functional and aesthetic benefit of orthognathic surgery.
Why is Orthognathic surgery needed?
‘Bad bite’ is a commoner’s term for a malocclusion. Malocclusion means that the teeth present in the upper jaw do not align properly with the teeth present in the lower jaw. Malocclusion caused due to the teeth can be fixed with orthodontic treatment or braces. Malocclusion can also result due to misalignment of the jaws too. A misaligned jaw may be present congenitally or as a result of a traumatic injury. Some of the problems that arise due to misaligned jaws or malocclusion include chewing difficulty, speech difficulty, TMJ, obstructive sleep apnea, etc. This type of malocclusion cannot be fixed by braces. In such cases, orthognathic surgery can be used to correct malocclusion caused due to misaligned jaws.
How can TMJ be treated using orthognathic surgery?
Temporomandibular dysfunction is a condition that occurs as a result of a damaged jaw joint. Some of the symptoms include swelling, deterioration of the joint, damaged joint, etc. One of the common causes of TMJ is malocclusion mostly due to misaligned jaws. The jaw joint and the group of muscles present in our mouth are responsible for stabilizing the position of the lower jaw. Thus misaligned jaw can cause malocclusion and TMJ. As mentioned above, orthognathic surgery can be used to correct the malocclusion. Orthognathic surgery includes procedures that can move the upper jaw forward, backward and even to widen it. It can also help in moving the lower jaw rotationally, forward and backward to correct asymmetry.