This 13 year old boy had a significant under development of the lower jaw. The lower jaw was so short, that his teeth did not meet at all, leaving almost no ability to chew or bite.

Surgery to distract requires a 1.5 hour operation, and which may be either day-stay alone, or with a short period of hospital stay that follows.

Distraction usually starts 1-2 days after surgery, and is a home based procedure, although oversight and guidance is provided by the surgeon.

Distraction is usually 2 turns a day (or 1mm of growth), and proceeds as long as is necessary. Most cases of jaw distraction require 8-12 mm of jaw growth, with distraction turns occurring over 8-12 days.

Distraction appliances are left in place for a further 4-6 weeks, and if braces are required, they are usually placed in this period. The distractors are then removed in another 1/2 hour day-stay operation.

Before & after treatment photos showing increased lower facial height & improved bite. The photos are 1:1. By placing a sheet of paper to cover the lower faces, the viewer will see that the nasal profiles are the same size. Remove the paper, and you will see the dramatic change to the size of the lower jaw. The time difference between the two photos is 8 weeks.

Before and after treatment photos showing changes to the bite. The lower teeth are completely captured within the arch of the upper jaw, making chewing impossible. By distracting the jaw forward, the orthodontist can now place orthodontic braces to correctly align the teeth over a much reduced treatment period.

Early treatment for mandibular retrognathia may not be an option for all patients. Traditional jaw correction surgery may be a more appropriate option for a later age. It is important to talk with the surgeon to know which style of operation is more appropriate for you or your child.

Before and after x-rays showing how lengthening has occurred between lower 1st and 2nd molar teeth. Natural bone, skin and tissue growth occurs with subtle painless stretching of the jaw in the region demonstrated. Orthodontics then uses the spaces created by distraction to unbuckle and straighten the teeth.

Specialist orthodontics provided by Dr Peter Vaughan, Orthodontist, and distraction surgery provided by Dr Paul Coceancig, Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.

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