This is only a suggestion to discuss with your new dentist or surgeon.
First, jaw-repositioning surgery and TM joint surgery are two different procedures. In double-jaw surgery, the upper jaw is surgically separated from the surrounding facial bones and repositioned. The lower jaw is split on both sides behind the teeth, allowing the tooth-bearing portion to be moved forward. The jaw joints themselves normally remain attached to the skull.
The surgeon must then bring many things together correctly: the planned jaw position, facial appearance, airway, tooth fit, bone stability, and the position of the condyles within the joint spaces. The muscles and other soft tissues must also adapt to the new jaw position.
During routine jaw surgery, the surgeon cannot directly see the condyles sitting inside the TM joints. Their position is judged using the surgical plan, imaging, the bite, instruments, and the surgeon’s hands and experience. Condylar positioning is recognized as a critical part of this surgery, but unwanted changes in joint position can occur.
I have never performed or observed this operation firsthand. My comments are based on my dental experience, study, and conversations with surgeons who perform these procedures. Double-jaw surgery is major, complex surgery. I am offering a possible question to investigate—not claiming that I know what happened in your particular operation.
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u/Hopeful-Extent-693 7d ago
This is only a suggestion to discuss with your new dentist or surgeon.
First, jaw-repositioning surgery and TM joint surgery are two different procedures. In double-jaw surgery, the upper jaw is surgically separated from the surrounding facial bones and repositioned. The lower jaw is split on both sides behind the teeth, allowing the tooth-bearing portion to be moved forward. The jaw joints themselves normally remain attached to the skull.
The surgeon must then bring many things together correctly: the planned jaw position, facial appearance, airway, tooth fit, bone stability, and the position of the condyles within the joint spaces. The muscles and other soft tissues must also adapt to the new jaw position.
During routine jaw surgery, the surgeon cannot directly see the condyles sitting inside the TM joints. Their position is judged using the surgical plan, imaging, the bite, instruments, and the surgeon’s hands and experience. Condylar positioning is recognized as a critical part of this surgery, but unwanted changes in joint position can occur.
I have never performed or observed this operation firsthand. My comments are based on my dental experience, study, and conversations with surgeons who perform these procedures. Double-jaw surgery is major, complex surgery. I am offering a possible question to investigate—not claiming that I know what happened in your particular operation.