Jaw Surgery
a. Maxilla (Le Forte I Osteotomy)
A Le Fort I osteotomy is the most commonly used procedure to make bone incisions in the upper jaw. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The operation is carried out entirely inside the mouth. A U-shaped incision is made through the gums above the upper teeth to gain access to the jawbone. The gum is then raised off the bone. The upper jaw incisions are made with highly specialised tools, which allow for a controlled parting of the bone. Additional bone is removed if the upper jaw is to be shortened. Bone can be added if necessary to lower the jaw and make it longer (bone graft). The upper jaw bone is then moved into its final position (planned prior to your surgery) and held in place with tiny titanium plates and screws, which are left in place permanently. The gums are stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches. These stitches may take three to four weeks to dissolve. After the bones heal together, the jaw regains it’s normal strength.