Orthognathic Surgery to Enhance the Smile

Clin Plast Surg. 2023 Jan;50(1):81-89. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2022.07.001. Epub 2022 Oct 1.

Abstract

An esthetic smile is an integral feature of beauty. Improvement of the smile can be achieved by a combination of orthognathic surgery, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Preoperative evaluation serves to address a patient's surgical goals; it allows a surgeon to perform a detailed facial analysis and identify patients who are contraindicated for surgery. LeFort I and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy are performed to minimize the risk of complications. Injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve are the most common complication after orthognathic surgery, in which 90% of patients experience transient sensory disturbance of the lower lip in the postoperative period.

Keywords: Bilateral split sagittal osteotomy; Dentofacial deformity; Genioplasty; LeFort I; Orthognathic surgery; Smile; Surgery-first.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lip / surgery
  • Mandibular Nerve
  • Orthognathic Surgery*
  • Orthognathic Surgical Procedures*
  • Preoperative Care