Orthognathic Surgery
Pronunciation: or-thog-NATH-ik SUR-juh-ree
Surgical repositioning of the maxilla, mandible, or both to correct significant skeletal discrepancies that cannot be managed by orthodontic appliances alone.
Full Definition
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in coordination with an orthodontist. The term 'orthognathic' derives from the Greek orthos (straight) and gnathos (jaw). Common procedures include Le Fort I osteotomy (maxillary repositioning), bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible, and genioplasty (chin repositioning). Editors must note that 'orthognathic' is frequently misspelled as 'orthognatic' or 'orthagnathic.' The term is always hyphenated as an adjective before a noun: 'orthognathic surgery,' not 'ortho-gnathic surgery.'
Usage
Usage note: A frequent misspelling is 'orthagnathic.' Ensure the 'o' in 'orthognathic' is present. Do not abbreviate as 'ortho surgery' in formal clinical documents.
In Context
- "The patient was referred for orthognathic surgery following the completion of pre-surgical orthodontic alignment." — Specialist referral letter
- "Orthognathic surgery combined with post-surgical orthodontics achieved a stable Class I occlusion." — Post-treatment case summary