How to choose the right surgeon for your double jaw surgery in Korea

 

If you have an external or functional problem due to asymmetry of the jaw, you can consider orthognathic surgery, also known as double jaw surgery. Double jaw surgery is an operation of the upper and lower jaw. It is an operation that artificially separates and rearranges the facial bone where the nerve is located.

Since double jaw surgery was first introduced in Korea, several surgical procedures have advanced. Once the bones have been through osteotomy, it cannot be reverted to the original form and re operation is a financial burden, so it is important to choose the right surgery according to the characteristics of each individual.

‘Skip the braces if teeth are aligned’
If occlusion is not a problem, but jaw surgery is necessary, orthodontic is not required. The generic double jaw surgery involves orthodontic treatment before or after surgery to ensure that the jawbone is in the correct position. However in recent years, orthodontic treatment can be omitted depending on symptoms, thereby minimizing inconvenience and financial burden. More precise decisions are made after a careful consultation and diagnosis with a specialist.

‘Skip jaw wiring if you have a nasal problem or difficulty in nasal breathing’
If you are having difficulty breathing due to a nasal disease, you can omit jaw wiring. Jaw wiring is a jaw fixation method of tying the upper and lower teeth with wires or bands to secure the jawbone so it doesn’t move after surgery. However, this can cause airway obstruction, so for cases like this, it is possible to omit the fixation.

Alarm activated when surgical tool is approaching the nerve’

Neuronal damage has always been a risk of double jaw surgery. Neurons are nerve cells that transmit nerve signals to and from the brain. However, it is difficult to check them with the eyes during the operation, so it is very tough to rely only on the equipment and the hand technique of the doctor.

Navigation double jaw machine can detect each patient’s position of nerve, and an alarm is activated when surgical tool is approaching near the nerve to prevent damage. In addition, a live surgical scene can be monitored and progressed, reducing even the smallest error of the planned osteotomy.

Double jaw surgery is a procedure that can be performed only by specialists with accumulated clinical experience and skills. If you are considering double jaw surgery for asymmetry or lantern jaw correction, you should research in advance on the surgery method the hospital pursues, type of surgery they offer, experience and ability of medical staff, and establishment of safety system.

Article by Tae Sung Lee M.D., ID hospital (board-certified plastic surgeon)