Congenital Craniofacial Deformity Surgery
Congenital Jaw Deformities and Facial Asymmetry
Repositioning the jaws and correcting congenital skeletal imbalance for better facial harmony and bite function.
Overview
Some jaw deformities and facial asymmetries are congenital, such as hemifacial microsomia, the small lower jaw of Pierre Robin sequence, and jaw differences in certain syndromes or after cleft.
These differ from typical jaw deformities in that they often involve bone, joint and soft tissue together and may affect breathing from early life, so they require staged treatment that respects growth.
Who May Benefit
- Infants and children with breathing difficulty due to a small lower jaw
- Children and teenagers with congenital facial and jaw asymmetry
- Adults with an uncorrected congenital jaw deformity
- Cleft patients with upper jaw retrusion
Conditions Treated
- Hemifacial microsomia
- Mandibular hypoplasia in Pierre Robin sequence
- Jaw deformities in Treacher Collins and other syndromes
- Occlusal plane cant and chin asymmetry
- Maxillary retrusion after cleft
Diagnosis
Assessment includes the face, bite, jaw joint and its movement, airway evaluation when needed, and 3D CT imaging. Remaining growth is assessed, as it determines whether correction is early or deferred until growth is complete.
Treatment Planning
In children, gradual lengthening of the lower jaw may be used first to improve breathing or symmetry, with definitive correction by orthognathic surgery after growth. Some patients need jaw joint reconstruction or soft-tissue augmentation. Treatment is coordinated with the orthodontist throughout.
Virtual Planning
3D Planning
Jaw movements are planned on a 3D model, the direction and amount of distraction are defined, and patient-specific splints and surgical guides are designed.
Surgical Overview
Depending on age and condition, treatment may include lower jaw distraction with an internal or external device, jaw surgery to reposition the jaws and correct an occlusal cant, genioplasty, or jaw joint reconstruction. Most operations are performed through the mouth under general anaesthesia.
Recovery
Swelling is common in the first weeks, with a soft diet. With distraction, the device is activated daily for several weeks, followed by a consolidation period before removal. After jaw surgery, many patients return to school or work within two to three weeks.
Risks & Considerations
All surgery carries risk. Potential risks are discussed in detail during consultation, and may include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Altered sensation of the lower lip or chin
- Partial recurrence of asymmetry with growth
- Distraction device problems
- Infection
- Need for further surgery later
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to wait until growth is complete?
Not always. When a small jaw affects breathing or asymmetry is severe, treatment may start early, with definitive correction after growth.
How do these differ from typical jaw deformities?
Congenital conditions often involve bone, joint and soft tissue together and may need several stages, whereas many typical jaw deformities are corrected with a single operation alongside orthodontics.
The information on this website is for general educational purposes and does not replace a consultation. Suitability for any procedure, and its potential benefits and risks, can only be determined following an individual clinical assessment. Individual results vary.
Related Procedures
- Facial AsymmetryAssessment and surgical correction of skeletal asymmetry of the jaws, chin and lower face.
- Bimaxillary SurgerySimultaneous repositioning of the upper and lower jaws to address complex skeletal discrepancies.
- Virtual Surgical PlanningThree-dimensional analysis and simulation of jaw and facial surgery on a digital model of the patient’s anatomy.
Discuss your options with Dr. Bakri
A consultation is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis and an individual plan.