Treatment of maxillofacial deformities provides successful elimination of chin and facial deformities that occur due to different reasons. These treatments aim to eliminate both aesthetic concerns and functional problems.

A multidisciplinary approach is often needed to treat facial and jaw deformations. Different specialists participate in treating maxillofacial deformities, and other treatment methods are used depending on the location, type, and severity of the deformity.

What are Maxillofacial Deformations? (Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformations)

Maxillofacial deformations can be expressed as the differentiation or deterioration of anatomical structures in the relevant region. This condition is called maxillofacial deformity. Deformities may be congenital or may occur later.

Maxillofacial deformities have different causes. The prominent ones can be listed as follows:

• Anatomical changes may occur in the jaw and face area due to genetic factors.
• Deformities may occur due to anomalies that occur during the embryo’s development in the womb.
• This problem may develop due to traumatic events such as accidents and impacts.
• Maxillofacial deformities may occur due to developmental problems that may occur in childhood and other developmental periods.
• This problem may occur due to TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorders.
• Related problems may also develop due to soft tissue diseases, tumors and chronic diseases.

There are different reasons for these deformities. Accordingly, the treatment of maxillofacial deformations is planned specifically for the patients. After examining the patient’s condition and obtaining an expert opinion, all procedures are explained within the scope of the treatment of maxillofacial deformities.

Types of Maxillofacial Deformations (Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities)

Different types of deformities occur in the jaw and face area. Treatment of maxillofacial deformities should be applied according to each type. The following table can be examined for common types of deformation:

Deformity Types	Explanations
Lower Jaw Retardation	This condition, also known as lower jaw disorder, occurs when the lower jaw bone is smaller and farther back than it should be.
Forward Sliding of the Lower Jaw	Problems in the growth process of the lower jaw bone cause it. This bone is larger or further forward than it should be. It manifests itself with symptoms of lower jaw displacement.
Upper Jaw Retardation	It is because the upper jaw is smaller than it should be. It can cause aesthetic problems and tooth incompatibility.
Upper Jaw Shift	It is the condition of the upper jaw being further than it should be due to misalignment or growth disorders.
Asymmetric Chin	It is a condition where the jaw structure is not symmetrical. It also disrupts facial symmetry.
Mouth Opening Problems	It is the inability to close the mouth completely or asymmetrical closure due to problems in the jaw arthrodia and muscles.

Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformations

The treatment of maxillofacial deformities varies depending on the type and severity of the deformity. In this process, where a multidisciplinary approach is generally needed, different areas of expertise, such as orthodontic treatments, jaw surgery, and orthognathic surgery, are used.

Surgical methods are not always used to treat existing maxillofacial deformations. In some cases, non-surgical chin correction can also be performed. For example, for jaw problems caused by crooked teeth, the crooked teeth are corrected with non-surgical methods, eliminating the problems in the jaw. Additionally, in some cases, physical therapy methods such as crooked chin correction exercises can also produce the desired results.

In cases where the severity of jaw and facial deformities is high, surgical methods are used. However, in some cases, orthodontic treatment may be needed before or after the surgical procedure. In other words, the treatment process does not consist only of surgery. Details of the surgical procedures performed for the treatment of maxillofacial deformities are as follows:

1 – Lower Jaw Surgery (Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformations)

These procedures aim to eliminate anomalies in the lower jaws. The procedure allows the lower jaw to move forward or backward. This ensures that the lower jaw is in the correct position.

There are different methods used in lower jaw surgeries. In most of these methods, incisions are made inside the mouth to avoid leaving incision marks in visible areas. The position of the lower jaw is adjusted by operations performed on the bone. Afterward, the lower jaw bone is fixed with the help of screws and plates and the procedure is completed.

Titanium screws are used during the treatment of maxillofacial deformities. Titanium screws are both biocompatible and do not negatively affect people’s lives. For example, they do not give warnings when passing through metal detectors in airports or similar areas.

2 – Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities: Upper Jaw Surgery

In upper jaw surgery, procedures for anomalies involving the upper jaw are performed within the scope of the treatment of maxillofacial deformities. This procedure aims to correct situations where the upper jaw is narrower or wider, further forward or back.

Upper jaw surgeries are also performed through incisions made inside the mouth. After the procedures are performed on the jawbone, these bones are fixed with screws and plates and the treatment is completed. In these procedures, the upper jaw is moved forward or shortened.

In some cases, the upper jaw needs to be expanded. This process is performed with a special tool called a distraction device. The device in question is surgically placed on the inner surfaces of the teeth in the upper jaw. Thanks to this device, the upper jaw is expanded by 0.5 mm daily. At the end of the ten days, the upper jaw will have expanded by 5 mm. Then, the treatment takes 3-6 months to complete. When treatment is completed, the device is removed.

3 – Chin Tip Surgery in Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities

Chin tip surgery is performed to eliminate aesthetic problems at the tip of the chin. It is a surgical procedure that corrects anomalies in the lower jaw through incisions made inside the mouth. This procedure, called genioplasty, moves the chin tip forward or retracts. With the treatment of maxillofacial deformities, asymmetry problems in the facial area are eliminated. This is how the appearance of the crooked chin in photographs is eliminated.

Dissolvable stitches are used in chin tip surgery and other surgical procedures. Thus, the stitches do not need to be removed in the future.

Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities Risks

Different methods and techniques are used to treat maxillofacial deformities. It is known that these methods have certain risks. However, this risk is relatively higher in surgical methods. The risks of surgical procedures performed to eliminate maxillofacial deformities are as follows:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Arthrodia problems
• Scar
• Damage to teeth
• Issues in the joining of separated bones
• Swelling in the nasal sinuses
• Jaws return to their previous position and the procedure fails
• Need for new surgical procedures

It is very important to choose the right surgeon to reduce the likelihood of these risks occurring. You can contact us anytime for more detailed information about the risk and treatment of maxillofacial deformities.

Things to Consider After Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities

The subsequent process is as important as the treatment of maxillofacial deformities. Patients should follow their doctor’s instructions and recommendations during this process. The general points that patients should pay attention to after the treatment of maxillofacial deformities are as follows:

• After the surgery, a cold compress is applied to the relevant area. Depending on the scope of the surgery, some patients may be advised to apply cold for 12 hours.
• Patients are advised to walk after they regain consciousness. Walking accelerates blood flow. Blood flow rate is important for reducing swelling and accelerating the healing process.
• The head should be elevated for 1-2 weeks after the operation. Paying attention to this as much as possible while going to bed is important.
• Moderate pain may occur after surgery. The doctor prescribes medications that can easily relieve this pain.
• For the first few weeks, you should eat liquid and soft foods. You must follow the doctor’s diet.
• It may be difficult to open the mouth after surgery due to muscle spasms. The given exercises should be performed without interruption.
• Gargling should be done for oral hygiene and other instructions should be followed.

These points are important for the treatment of maxillofacial deformities and patients should act according to these and other doctor’s instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities

Frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the treatment of maxillofacial deformities are listed below.

1 – How to Treat Maxillofacial Deformations?

Treatment of maxillofacial deformities is planned differently depending on the patient. While non-surgical methods are used in some patients, surgical procedures are needed in others. Treatments include moving the lower or upper jaw forward, eliminating arthrodia problems, and widening the jaw depending on the patient’s condition.

2 – How to Have a Proper Jaw Structure?

Proper jaw structure can be expressed as the correct lower and upper jaw alignment, fully closed, proportional and symmetrical.

3 – How to Correct a Crooked Chin with the Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities?

To correct crooked jaws, the cause behind the crookedness must be eliminated. Crookedness may occur depending on situations such as one of the jaws being forward, backward, or narrow. Surgical methods resolve such problems.

4 – How to Treat Asymmetrical Chin with the Treatment of Maxillofacial Deformities?

Surgical and orthodontic methods are used in the treatment of asymmetric jaw.