Jaw Surgery

I had jaw surgery in December 2002 to correct an underbite/openbite. An "open bite" is when the jaw can't close down all the way. The procedure to correct this is LeFort I osteotomy with segmentialization and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. LeFort I was a scientist in the 1800s who experimented with cadaver skulls, throwing them against hard surfaces to see where they most easily crack. Skulls break apart along three major planes, and these are now known as "LeFort I," etc. The LeFort I osteotomy moved my upper jaw forward and at a straighter angle; the bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy adjusted my lower jaw to the side so that it is centered. You can see before and after photos of my face here. See the xrays taken shortly after the jaw surgery. The implants are made of titanium and will not be taken out.

Why would I endure such a big surgery? Well, have you ever lived in an apartment with a door that wouldn't close? You know, you'd try to close it, but the hinge was jammed open? Yes, VERY ANNOYING. Also, you know that disappointing feeling when you bite into a sandwich, and you can't bite through the sandwich meat, so the whole thing slides out from between the bread and falls onto your lap? Imagine living that nightmare EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE.

The surgery carries risk, and a long recovery time. I stayed in the hospital for a day after the surgery, with my jaws wired tightly together, just sipping water. They remove these strong wires after a day, and then I was left with a plastic plate in the upper jaw, and several very strong rubber bands keeping the jaw closed. It takes about a month of sipping broth/sucking ice cream through a straw. The biggest risks of this procedure are nerve damage, infection, and reversal. If a reversal happens, the jaws, which have a mind of their own, grow back into their original position despite the surgery - a major disappointment that doctors obviously hope doesn't happen. The skin on the face and chin feels numb for several months afterwards, but eventually all the feeling comes back. Lower jaw surgery has the greatest risk of nerve damage, but I did not experience any problems. If you are considering the same procedure, a) make sure it is covered by insurance, b) pick your surgeon very carefully. The procedure is tens of thousands of dollars if not covered by insurance, but in California, at least, it is covered.