Introduction
Maxillary protrusion, also known as upper jaw over - biting, is a common orthodontic and maxillofacial issue that can affect both the functionality and aesthetics of a person's face. In New York City, there are several hospitals that are well - known for their expertise in treating this condition. This article will provide a detailed inventory of these popular hospitals, including the services they offer, their experienced medical teams, and the treatment processes they follow.
1. Mount Sinai - New York
Overview
Mount Sinai is a leading medical institution in New York City that offers comprehensive treatment for various jaw deformities, including maxillary protrusion. The hospital has a team of highly experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons, otolaryngologists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons who work together to provide the best possible care for patients.
Services Offered
- Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery: This is a common procedure performed at Mount Sinai to correct overbites, underbites, and crossbites. The surgery involves moving the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) to an anatomically correct position, which allows for a good occlusion (bite), opening of the airway, and facial symmetry.
- For maxillary protrusion, the surgeon may reposition the upper jaw to correct the over - bite and improve facial aesthetics.
- The hospital uses advanced 3D x - rays and computer - assisted technology for treatment planning, including virtual surgical planning (VSP). VSP allows the surgeon to “rehearse” the surgery in a virtual environment prior to the actual procedure, ensuring more accurate results.
- Jaw in a Day Surgery: This innovative procedure is particularly useful for patients who need to have part or all of their upper or lower jaw removed due to cancer or other conditions. In cases related to maxillary issues, it can provide an immediate post - surgical restoration of the smile and a significantly reduced timeline for the implantation of permanent teeth.
- The procedure combines surgical treatment with the placement of titanium dental implants to anchor temporary teeth that look exactly like the patient's existing teeth.
- A multidisciplinary team, including head - neck surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, and prosthodontists, is involved in the process to ensure the best outcome.
- Bone Grafting: In some cases of maxillary protrusion, bone grafting may be necessary to provide additional structural support to the jaw. Mount Sinai's oral and maxillofacial surgeons are skilled in this procedure, which not only replaces missing bone but also stimulates new bone growth.
- Oral Pathology Evaluation: The hospital has a dedicated oral pathologist who specializes in evaluating specimens of the jawbone and oral cavity. This is important for diagnosing any underlying conditions that may be contributing to maxillary protrusion, such as cysts, salivary gland tumors, or other disorders related to the jawbone, lip, and palate.
Treatment Process
The typical treatment sequence for a patient with maxillary protrusion at Mount Sinai begins with an evaluation by the orthodontist and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This evaluation includes x - rays, models of the dentition, photographs, facial measurements, and a complete analysis of the data to come up with a problem list and a proposed treatment plan.
Once the diagnosis and surgical plan have been determined, the information is used to communicate with the orthodontist, explain the plan to the patient, and obtain insurance approval.
If orthognathic surgery is recommended, the patient will first undergo pre - operative orthodontic therapy, which can take 12 to 18 months. The goal of this phase is to level and align the teeth over the maxillary and mandibular bony arches. When the patient is ready for surgery, a complete workup is performed, including a cone - beam 3D CT scan and 3D photo morphometry for VSP.
The orthognathic procedure is performed under general anesthesia in the operating room with the braces in place. Internal fixation devices (small titanium screws and plates) are used to connect the repositioned segments to the jaws. Patients usually stay in the hospital for approximately 1 to 2 days.
After the surgery, it is common to use training elastics from the upper jaw orthodontic appliances to the lower jaw appliances to help retrain the patient to close into their new bites. The patient's diet is limited to a liquid or non - chew diet for four weeks to allow for undisturbed healing of the osteotomies.
The patient returns to the orthodontist 6 to 8 weeks after the surgical procedure to start the post - operative orthodontic phase to “fine - tune” and perfect the final occlusion. This phase can last from 3 to 6 months and helps ensure the long - term stability of the dentition and repositioned bone. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon will continue to follow the patient over time to monitor the outcome and identify and manage any relapse of the treatment.
2. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of New York
Overview
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of New York is another well - known center for treating maxillary protrusion. Dr. Majid Jamali, a highly experienced surgeon, leads the team and is recognized as a specialist in orthognathic surgery. The center offers a comprehensive range of services for patients with jaw - related problems.
Services Offered
- Corrective Jaw Surgery: This is the main service for treating maxillary protrusion. Corrective jaw surgery repositions a misaligned jaw, which not only improves facial appearance but also ensures that the teeth meet correctly and function properly.
- For upper jaw surgery, the surgeon will separate the tooth - bearing area of the jaw so that the base of it can be moved down, up, forward, or backward according to the patient's needs. Screws and surgical plates are used to fasten the jaw to the new position. In some cases, bone may need to be added to or removed from the jaw, or the jaw may need to be reshaped.
- The recovery process for upper jaw surgery may involve a bite guide to maintain correct bite alignment during recovery.
- Presurgical and Post - surgical Orthodontic Treatment: The center works closely with orthodontists to provide presurgical orthodontic treatment, which is essential for straightening the teeth before and after the surgery. This can take anywhere from 6 - 24 months depending on the case.
- Post - surgical orthodontic treatment usually takes between 4 - 6 months to “fine - tune” the final occlusion and ensure the long - term stability of the dentition and repositioned bone.
Treatment Process
Dr. Jamali suggests that patients first see a surgeon to determine if they are a good candidate for surgery. If so, he will assist the patient in choosing a qualified orthodontist to start the presurgical orthodontic treatment. The patient will discuss the options of different types, length, and cost of orthodontic treatment with the orthodontist. In many cases, the center uses Invisalign for orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Jamali will then discuss the patient's case with the orthodontist and plan the surgery. At this point, it will be decided if the patient needs to remove their wisdom teeth or bicuspids.
Once the presurgical orthodontic treatment has been completed and the surgeon feels that the teeth are properly aligned, the surgery takes place in the hospital under general anesthesia. The duration of the surgery depends on the procedure and the complexity of the case.
After the surgery, the patient may experience some discomfort, swelling, and other side effects, but Dr. Jamali assures that these are usually manageable. He is one of the few surgeons who do not wire the teeth shut after surgery, believing that it is unnecessary with today's advanced hardware.
Patients are usually seen in the office for a follow - up 10 days after the surgery, and radiographs are taken. Based on the individual case, Dr. Jamali will see his patients 3 - 4 times during the first month post - surgery until he is comfortable sending the patient back to the orthodontist. The patient is recommended to adhere to a liquid diet for the first 6 weeks, followed by a soft diet for the next 6 weeks, and can return to a regular diet at the end of 12 weeks post - surgery. Activity is also restricted during the recovery period, with contact activity prohibited for 5 - 6 months until the bone has completely healed.
3. NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
Overview
NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital offers a full spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery services, with an emphasis on orthognathic and reconstructive surgery, which is relevant for treating maxillary protrusion. All the hospital's physicians are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College, providing patients with a high - level of care found in a leading academic medical center.
Services Offered
- Orthognathic and Reconstructive Surgery: This service is focused on correcting facial deformities, including maxillary protrusion. The hospital's oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experienced in repositioning the jaws to achieve proper occlusion and facial symmetry.
- Dental Implants and Bone Grafting: These services may be used in conjunction with orthognathic surgery for patients with maxillary protrusion. Dental implants can help restore function and aesthetics, while bone grafting can provide additional support to the jaw.
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) Treatment: Since maxillary protrusion can sometimes be associated with TMJ problems, the hospital offers treatment for TMJ dysfunction, which may be part of the comprehensive care for patients with jaw - related issues.
Treatment Process
Patients who suspect they have maxillary protrusion can call the hospital to schedule an appointment. The initial evaluation will involve a comprehensive examination, including x - rays and other diagnostic tests, to determine the extent of the problem and the most appropriate treatment plan.
If orthognathic surgery is recommended, the patient will be referred to the hospital's team of orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The treatment process will likely follow a similar sequence to other hospitals, including presurgical orthodontic treatment, surgery, and post - surgical orthodontic fine - tuning.
Throughout the treatment process, patients will receive personalized care from the hospital's multidisciplinary team, which will ensure that all aspects of their treatment are coordinated and monitored closely.
4. Weill Cornell Medicine
Overview
Weill Cornell Medicine has a dedicated team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons who are specialists in orthognathic (corrective) jaw surgery. The hospital's goal is to correct developmental growth abnormalities of the jaws and facial bones, which includes treating maxillary protrusion.
Services Offered
- Orthognathic Surgery: This is the core service for treating maxillary protrusion. The surgery aims to correct the imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed, which can affect chewing, speech, and the overall health and esthetic appearance of the face.
- The hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach, coordinating with orthodontists to provide comprehensive care for patients. The goal is to achieve a good bite, an open airway, and facial symmetry.
- Surgical Correction of Maxillofacial Skeletal Deformities: This service focuses on the reconstructive procedures that correct deformities of the jaws, facial skeleton, and associated soft tissues. The abnormalities may be caused by genetic, environmental, developmental, functional, or pathologic factors.
- The surgical procedures involve repositioning and recontouring the facial bones to correct functional and/or pathologic problems and restore or improve function and prevent potential sequelae.
Treatment Process
When a patient visits Weill Cornell Medicine for the first time, the focus is on determining exactly if and what jaw surgery they need. The hospital will collect data in the form of radiographs, measurements of the face and teeth, clinical photographs, and health history. The team will answer any questions the patient or their family members may have, analyze the data, create models of the bite, and develop a comprehensive plan to correct the problem.
Before the actual surgery, the patient will need to work with an orthodontist to move their teeth into the correct position within the jawbone. This typically involves six to twelve months of braces, during which time the surgeon will check on the patient periodically. When the teeth are close to alignment, the surgery will be scheduled at New York - Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell campus.
After the surgery, the patient can expect to stay in the hospital for one to two nights. Approximately six weeks after surgery, the patient will return to the orthodontist to finish aligning the teeth to the new jaw position. For the first six to eight weeks after surgery, the patient's bones will be healing, and they will be restricted to a diet of liquids and soft foods, and their activity will be limited. The patient and the surgeon will discuss the return to full activity.
Conclusion
In New York City, patients with maxillary protrusion have several excellent options for treatment. Mount Sinai, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of New York, NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, and Weill Cornell Medicine all offer specialized services and experienced medical teams to address this condition. Each hospital has its own unique approach and expertise, but they all share the common goal of providing high - quality care and improving the lives of their patients.
If you or someone you know is suffering from maxillary protrusion, it is recommended that you reach out to one of these hospitals for a consultation. The medical professionals will be able to provide a detailed evaluation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific situation. Don't let maxillary protrusion affect your quality of life any longer; take the first step towards a better smile and improved oral health today!
