Blog Archives

Orthognathic surgery for jaw correction

29/10/2014

When the lower jaw is severely protruding and not in proper alignment with the upper jaw, it causes difficulty in biting, chewing, speaking and also affects the facial appearance. With corrective jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery, the jaws can be reshaped and aligned in normal balanced occlusion.

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (Obwegeser’s) is done for surgical correction of the skeletal defect of protruding lower jaw. In this the lower jaw is reshaped and set in precise alignment to enhance the appearance and achieve proper bite. This procedure is done from inside the mouth so there are no scars.

Profile view showing protruding lower jaw giving disproportionate appearance

Postoperative profile view showing corrected jaw alignment by orthognathic surgery without any scars on the face

Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S. M. Balaji examining the Seychelles boy after surgery

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Surgical correction of macroglossia (enlarged tongue)

29/10/2014

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Macroglossia is a condition in which the tongue is abnormally enlarged beyond the normal resting position. Causes include genetic factors or medical conditions like hormone disturbances, infections etc. The enlarged tongue causes difficulties in breathing, chewing, swallowing, speaking and also disturbs teeth position. Due to the protruding tongue, the mouth remains open causing repeated throat infections and drooling of saliva. Moreover the appearance also affects the psychological and social well-being of the child. If there is an underlying cause, that should be treated first. If the problem is genetic or syndromic, tongue reduction surgery or glossectomy is done.

Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji performs tongue reduction surgeries ensuring preservation of taste sensation and tongue functions. After surgery, breathing, chewing and swallowing becomes easier, it becomes easier to close the mouth and facial appearance improves.

Abnormally large and long tongue before surgery

Surgical reduction of large tongue preserving taste sensation

Normal tongue form following surgery

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Orthognathic surgery or jaw correction for protruding upper jaw

23/10/2014

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When the upper jaw is disproportionately larger than the lower jaw, it affects the facial profile and gives an unattractive appearance. Also the upper teeth are excessively protruding and there is inability to close the mouth & bite normally. This can be surgically corrected by orthognathic surgery. Using specialized Le Fort I technique the upper jaw is made proportionate and more accurately aligned with the lower jaw. This is done from inside the mouth so there are no scars. The results are immediate and the patients get a renewed confidence with their enhanced appearance.

Preoperative view showing lengthened upper jaw giving short lip appearance

Postoperative view showing corrected upper jaw giving pristine appearance without any scars on the face

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Surgical correction of incomplete cleft lip

18/10/2014

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Cleft lip occurs when parts of the face forming the lip fail to fuse normally before birth. Incomplete cleft lip is when the gap in the lip does not extend up to the nose. Cleft lip correction is done usually when the baby is about 3 months old using modified Millard’s surgical technique. Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji has successfully treated innumerable patients from all over the world born with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Baby girl with incomplete cleft lip

Several weeks after primary cleft lip repair

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Complete smile makeover with implants and ceramic crowns

11/10/2014

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A pleasant, attractive smile enhances a person’s appearance and boosts his confidence. Complete smile makeover solutions involve replacing missing teeth, restoring lost tooth structure with natural-colored fillings or recreating the tooth using ceramic or porcelain crowns.

Dental implants are the best solution to replace missing teeth. Implants together with ceramic crowns, look, feel and function just like natural teeth greatly enhancing one’s smile and appearance.

Missing upper front teeth causing unsightly gap

Implants placed in jaw bone in missing teeth region

Ceramic crowns of exact color match fixed to implants for complete smile makeover

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Specialized corrective surgery for nose, lip and jaw defect in cleft patients

3/10/2014

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In cleft patients, over time the scar of the upper lip thickens & the upper lip becomes very thin. This lip incompetence can be treated with specialized Abbe-Flap technique. A tissue from the lower lip is sutured together with the upper lip making both the lips proportionately similar. In males, the flap is taken with the hair follicles to ensure mustache growth. Once blood supply is established, the flap is divided improving the form & function of the lips.

In some instances, along with the lip defect, there is also a disparity in the size of the jaws. If the upper jaw is retruded and lower jaw is protruding, then Abbe-flap is combined with upper jaw advancement to restore form & balance of the face. Defective nose shapes also require surgical correction to enhance the appearance & make the face more attractive.

Thin upper lip and nose defect in cleft lip palate patient affecting appearance

Profile view showing retruded upper jaw and lip & nose defect affecting the profile

Enhanced appearance following abbe flap surgery for lip correction & corrective jaw and nose surgery

Improved profile view after upper jaw advancement, nose correction and abbe-flap surgery

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Augmentation rhinoplasty for enhanced appearance

3/10/2014

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Some defects of the nose may be acquired as a result of trauma or accident injury. Nose defects affect the facial appearance making the person self-conscious about their looks. Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji performs an augmentation rhinoplasty to reconstruct the nose giving it a more defined, sharp form. A pristine nose makes the face more attractive boosting the person’s appearance & confidence.

Preoperative view showing deformed nose due to accidental trauma

Postoperative view showing augmented nose with costochondral graft without any scars

Preoperative profile view showing wavy nose due to defective nasal bridge

Postoperative profile view showing enhanced appearance with augmented dorsum of the nose

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Enhanced appearance with simultaneous jaw & nose correction

3/10/2014

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Balanced facial features enhance the facial profile and make the face attractive. An improved appearance will also boost self esteem and enhance the personality.

Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji performs a simultaneous correction of the protruding upper jaw & nose defect. The jaw bone is sculpted and realigned in a more appropriate position & the nose is made sharp & pristine improving both smile and appearance. Since the surgery is approached from inside the mouth & inside the nose, there is no scarring.

CASE I

Protruding upper jaw and flattened nose causing unpleasant appearance

Appearance enhanced with simultaneous jaw correction (orthognathic surgery) and nose correction (rhinoplasty)

CASE II

Before surgery-incompetent short lip with prognathic jaws

After surgery- teeth, jaw and nose correction done for profile improvement without scars

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CASE I

CASE II

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