Our Summary

This study looked at three different treatments for people with a type of facial asymmetry (known as Class III craniofacial asymmetry) and how well they corrected an uneven lip line (LLC). The treatments were orthodontic camouflage treatment (OCT), which is a non-surgical treatment, surgery on one jaw, and surgery on both jaws. They tested these treatments on 30 patients, with 10 patients for each treatment.

Before and after treatment, they took special 3D X-rays to measure changes in the patients’ teeth, jaws and lip line. They found that both types of surgery improved the evenness of the lip line, while the OCT treatment did not. The two-jaw surgery worked slightly better than the one-jaw surgery.

The researchers also found that the success of the treatment was largely determined by how much the jaw and lip line were off-center before treatment. This accounted for about 82% of the improvement seen in the lip line. The rate at which the lip line improved was also affected by these initial conditions, but to a lesser extent, accounting for about 41% of the rate of improvement.

FAQs

  1. What were the three treatments tested in the study for Class III craniofacial asymmetry?
  2. How did the researchers measure the success of the treatments?
  3. Did the orthodontic camouflage treatment (OCT) improve the evenness of the lip line?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about jaw surgery is to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and optimal results. This may include taking prescribed medications, maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding certain foods, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It is also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider. Additionally, practicing good oral habits and wearing any recommended orthodontic appliances or retainers can help maintain the results of the surgery in the long term.

Suitable For

Patients with Class III craniofacial asymmetry, which causes an uneven lip line, are typically recommended for jaw surgery. Specifically, patients with significant jaw and lip asymmetry may benefit from surgery on one or both jaws to correct the issue. Orthodontic camouflage treatment may not be as effective in correcting this type of facial asymmetry.

Timeline

Timeline:

  • Initial consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for the patient’s facial asymmetry
  • Pre-surgical orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and prepare the jaws for surgery
  • Jaw surgery, either on one jaw or both jaws, to correct the facial asymmetry
  • Post-surgical recovery period, which may include pain management, swelling, and a liquid or soft food diet
  • Follow-up appointments with the surgeon and orthodontist to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan
  • Continued orthodontic treatment to fine-tune the alignment of the teeth and jaws
  • Final evaluation of the lip line and overall facial symmetry to assess the success of the treatment

Overall, the timeline for a patient undergoing jaw surgery for facial asymmetry can vary depending on the specific treatment plan and individual healing process. It is important for patients to follow their surgeon and orthodontist’s recommendations for optimal results.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What specific type of jaw surgery would be recommended for my specific case of facial asymmetry?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with jaw surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery time for jaw surgery?
  4. Will I need orthodontic treatment before or after the surgery?
  5. What are the expected outcomes of jaw surgery in terms of correcting facial asymmetry and improving the lip line?
  6. How long will the results of jaw surgery last?
  7. Will I need to follow a special diet or make any lifestyle changes after jaw surgery?
  8. Are there any alternative treatments to jaw surgery that could be considered?
  9. How many similar cases have you treated with jaw surgery, and what has been the success rate?
  10. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions or follow-up appointments I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Lee GC, Yoo JK, Kim SH, Moon CH. Journal: Angle Orthod. 2017 Mar;87(2):239-245. doi: 10.2319/033016-254.1. Epub 2016 Aug 16. PMID: 27529732