Introduction
Upper and lower jaw surgery, along with protruding mouth correction, are highly specialized procedures that can address a variety of functional and aesthetic concerns. In New York City, there are several hospitals renowned for their expertise in these areas. This article will explore five such hospitals that offer high - quality, reliable treatment options.
Importance of Jaw and Protruding Mouth Surgery
Jaw irregularities and protruding mouths can have a significant impact on an individual's life. Functionally, misaligned jaws can lead to difficulties in chewing, swallowing, and speaking. A study from a dental research institute found that patients with jaw misalignments often report chronic pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can radiate to the head and neck, causing headaches and neck pain. Aesthetics also play a crucial role, as the appearance of the face can affect an individual's self - esteem and social interactions.
Top 5 Hospitals in New York City for Jaw and Protruding Mouth Surgery
1. Mount Sinai - New York
Mount Sinai is a well - known medical institution in New York. Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons are a team of specialists dedicated to treating all forms of jaw deformities. They work in collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, and other plastic surgeons to ensure comprehensive care for patients.
Conditions Treated
- Mandibular hyperplasia (prognathism): This condition presents as an excess of the lower third of the face, making it appear very prominent. It may also include an underdeveloped upper jaw. Patients with this condition often have an underbite and may experience difficulty in proper occlusion of teeth.
- Mandibular hypoplasia: Characterized by a small lower jaw, an overbite (skeletal malocclusion), and sometimes a tall upper jaw and long - face syndrome. The lower jaw may appear backwardly rotated.
- Maxillary hypoplasia: Appears as a small upper jaw with a shallow, concave mid - face and an underbite. It may be associated with a cleft of the lip and palate or other craniofacial syndromes. The lower jaw can be undersized, oversized, or normal.
- Vertical maxillary deficiency (short face syndrome): Can cause an older appearance due to insufficient dental show resulting from a vertical deficiency of the upper jaw.
- Vertical maxillary excess (long face syndrome): Results in the appearance of a long face, possibly with an open bite where the teeth do not come together. This is due to excess vertical growth in the back of the maxilla compared to the front and an associated shortness of the lower jaw.
Treatment Approach
The team at Mount Sinai uses advanced diagnostic tools and techniques. They conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient's condition, including x - rays, 3D imaging, and dental models. The treatment plan is tailored to each patient's specific needs, which may involve a combination of orthodontics and surgery. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is also used in many cases, allowing surgeons to simulate the surgery in a virtual environment before performing it in the operating room. This helps in predicting the outcome and ensuring more accurate results.
2. New York Center for Orthognathic & Maxillofacial Surgery (NYCOMS)
NYCOMS focuses primarily on orthognathic surgery, which is sometimes called corrective jaw surgery. They have three convenient locations in NYC, West Islip, and Lake Success.
Procedures Offered
There are three basic orthognathic procedures:
| Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| Moving the upper jaw (Le Fort 1 osteotomy) | This procedure allows the surgeon to reposition the upper jaw to correct misalignments. It is often used to address maxillary hypoplasia or other upper - jaw related issues. |
| Moving the lower jaw (bilateral sagittal splitting of the mandible) | The rear part of the lower jaw is separated from the front part in the sagittal plane. The bones can then be repositioned to correct mandibular hyperplasia or hypoplasia. |
| Moving the chin (genial osteotomy or anterior mandibular osteotomy) | This procedure is used to create facial balance by repositioning the chin. It can improve the overall appearance of the face and correct chin - related asymmetries. |
Treatment Stages
- Consultation and diagnosis: A member of the maxillofacial team conducts an initial evaluation, which takes about an hour. They collect data such as radiographs, photography, models, facial measurements, and a health history. A second follow - up visit is then scheduled to compile the data and determine if corrective jaw surgery is appropriate. A demonstration of computer - generated surgery may also be available during this visit.
- Pre - surgical orthodontics: Patients visit an orthodontist to have appliances (braces) placed on their upper and lower teeth. This usually takes 6 to 12 months to align and level the teeth within the bone. The progress of tooth alignment is regularly monitored to plan the surgical date.
- Final records and treatment plan development: Once the teeth are aligned, new records are taken, and a scale model of the jaws is created. The surgery is then simulated on the model to create guides for the operating room.
- Surgery: The operation takes place in one of the affiliated hospitals, and the average length of stay is one night.
- Post - op convalescence: The bones need 8 weeks to harden enough for the patient to return to full function. A liquid - to - soft diet is required during this time, and physical activity is limited.
- Post - surgical orthodontics: When the bones are stable, the orthodontist resumes aligning the teeth for an ideal fit. Orthodontic retainers are used to maintain the stability of the bone and the bite.
3. Weill Cornell Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to orthognathic surgery. Their team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons is highly experienced in treating overbites, underbites, and cross - bites.
Reasons to Choose Weill Cornell Medicine
- Convenient, individualized care: Patients receive personalized care in a supportive and comfortable environment. The medical staff is sensitive to the patient's needs and provides comprehensive and compassionate treatment.
- Multidisciplinary care from leading experts: Orthognathic surgeries require the collaboration of orthodontics and surgery. Weill Cornell Medicine's multidisciplinary approach ensures coordinated and complex care before, during, and after the surgery.
What to Expect
Before surgery, the hospital collects data through radiographs, measurements of the face and teeth, clinical photographs, and a health history. They analyze the data and create models of the bite to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Patients need to undergo 6 to 12 months of braces with an orthodontist to move the teeth into the correct position within the jawbone. The surgery takes place at New York - Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell campus, and patients typically stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 nights. After surgery, they return to the orthodontist about six weeks later to finish aligning the teeth to the new jaw position.
4. NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
The oral and maxillofacial surgery service at NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital provides a full spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery, with an emphasis on orthognathic and reconstructive surgery.
Services Offered
- Impacted wisdom teeth and extractions: Removal of impacted wisdom teeth is a common procedure, which can prevent problems such as pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth.
- Facial, oral, dental trauma and broken jaws: The hospital is equipped to handle cases of facial trauma, including broken jaws. Their experienced surgeons can perform the necessary reconstruction to restore function and appearance.
- Surgical corrections of facial deformities: This includes upper and lower jaw surgery and protruding mouth correction. The surgeons use advanced techniques to correct skeletal deformities and improve the overall aesthetics of the face.
- Dental implants: Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, providing a stable and natural - looking solution.
- Biopsies and apicoectomies: These procedures are used for diagnostic and treatment purposes in cases of oral and maxillofacial pathology.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ): Treatment for TMJ disorders includes a variety of approaches, such as conservative management and surgical intervention when necessary.
- Maxillary sinus lift and platelet rich plasma augmentation and bone grafting: These procedures are used to enhance the bone structure in the maxillary area, which is often necessary for dental implant placement.
All physicians at the hospital are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College, ensuring a high level of expertise and access to the latest medical research and techniques.
5. Central Park Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Lloyd Klausner at Central Park Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery offers orthognathic surgery. He uses modern computer techniques and three - dimensional models to show patients exactly how their surgery will be approached.
Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?
People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite, jaws that are positioned incorrectly, or problems in areas such as chewing, biting, swallowing, speech, chronic jaw or TMJ pain, open bite, protruding jaw, or breathing problems. These symptoms can be present at birth, acquired after birth due to hereditary or environmental influences, or as a result of trauma to the face.
Treatment Process
Before treatment, a consultation is held to perform a complete examination with x - rays. Dr. Klausner will work closely with the patient's dentist and orthodontist. Using comprehensive facial x - rays and computer video imaging, he shows patients how their bite will be improved and how they'll look after surgery. This helps patients understand the surgical process and the benefits of the treatment. The actual surgery moves the teeth and jaws into a new position, resulting in a more attractive, functional, and healthy dental - facial relationship.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from upper and lower jaw surgery and protruding mouth correction is a gradual process. In general, patients can expect some swelling, discomfort, and limited diet in the initial weeks after surgery. Most hospitals recommend a liquid or soft - food diet for the first few weeks to allow the bones to heal properly. Physical activity should also be restricted during the recovery period.
After the initial healing phase, patients may need to continue with orthodontic treatment to fine - tune the alignment of their teeth. Regular follow - up appointments with the surgeon and orthodontist are essential to monitor the progress of recovery and ensure the long - term success of the surgery.
Conclusion
In New York City, these five hospitals - Mount Sinai, NYCOMS, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, and Central Park Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - stand out for their expertise in upper and lower jaw surgery and protruding mouth correction. They offer a wide range of services, use advanced techniques, and provide comprehensive care from diagnosis to recovery. Whether it's addressing functional problems or improving aesthetics, patients can find high - quality treatment options at these institutions.
If you or someone you know is considering upper and lower jaw surgery or protruding mouth correction, we encourage you to research these hospitals further, schedule consultations, and make an informed decision based on your specific needs. Share this article with others who may benefit from this information, and continue exploring related topics to learn more about oral and maxillofacial surgery.
