Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic and Jaw Surgery

A range of procedures are available to correct jaw issues.  Often, these surgeries, while performed for medical reasons, result in significant improvement in facial alignment.  Patients report significant improvements on satisfaction with their appearance in addition to the medical benefit of undergoing surgery.

With his combined specialties in Cosmetic Surgery as well as Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr John McHugh is uniquely qualified to deliver excellence in surgical results for orthognathic and jaw surgery, while also achieving high patient satisfaction through aesthetically attractive results.

Osteotomy

Osteotomy may be performed to correct receding upper or lower jaws. Osteotomy is also often combined with Genioplasty (Chin Surgery).

Maxillary Osteotomy

A maxillary osteotomy may be performed to correct these issues:

  • Significantly receded upper jaw

  • Crossbite

  • Too much or too little of the teeth showing

  • Open bite

From inside the mouth, Dr McHugh cuts the bone above your teeth (below both eye sockets) so that the entire top jaw — including the roof of your mouth and your upper teeth — can move as one unit. The jaw and upper teeth are moved forward until they fit properly with the lower teeth.

Once the jaw is realigned, tiny screws and plates hold the bone in its new position. These screws — which are smaller than a bracket used for braces — become integrated into the bone structure over time.

An open bite occurs when excess bone grows above the molars, causing what’s normally a flat, even surface to become angled. When you bite down, your molars touch but your front teeth don’t touch each other, making chewing difficult. To fix this, your surgeon shaves away or removes the excess bone.

Mandibular Osteotomy

A significantly receded lower jaw can be corrected by a procedure called mandibular osteotomy.

In this procedure, Dr McHugh makes cuts behind the molars and lengthwise down the jawbone so the front of the jaw can move as one unit. As a result, the jaw slides smoothly to its new position. Screws hold the jawbone together until it heals.

Dr John McHugh plastic surgeon
About Dr McHugh

Dr John McHugh is Australia's only surgeon qualified in both Maxillofacial and Cosmetic surgery.

His dual specialisations enable him to deliver excellence in surgical results, with an eye for aesthetic beauty.

With over 20 years of experience as a surgeon in the private sector and performing international aid work as a Surgeon Commander with the Royal Australian Navy, you can have confidence that Dr McHugh is uniquely qualified and trusted to deliver the results you seek.

REQUEST A QUOTE