This 14 year old boy has a significantly retruded lower jaw. Surgery to lengthen the jaw was gradual over ~10 days, and braces followed shortly after the distractors were removed (6 weeks after distractor placement).

Braces were finally removed 12 months after initial jaw distraction surgery at age 15.

Before & after treatment photos showing increased lower facial height & improved incisor bite. The photos are 1:1.

Before and after treatment photos showing changes to the bite. The lower teeth are completely behind the upper front teeth pre-operatively. Surgically positioning the jaw forward achieves a normal incisor relationship, but orthodontics is required to guide the teeth into formal and precise inter-dental relationships. Time differences between right and left photos is 12 months.

Early treatment for mandibular retrognathia may not be an option for all patients. Discuss with your orthodontist or specialist oral & maxillofacial surgeon whether distraction jaw surgery is appropriate for your child.

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

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