Jaw deformity and orthognathic evaluation
Treatment options in Shanghai

Braces apply controlled forces to change tooth position and can improve alignment, the way teeth meet and access for cleaning. Treatment requires adjustments, good oral hygiene and a retention plan after active movement. If a skeletal discrepancy remains, ask the orthodontist to explain the likely compromise: which bite or appearance concerns would improve and which would persist. A nonsurgical plan is most helpful when its limits are understood before starting, rather than when surgery is discussed only after expectations have already been set.

Orthognathic surgery repositions one or both jaws through planned bone cuts, with fixation used to hold the new position. Orthodontics is commonly part of the overall process because the teeth must fit the planned jaw relationship. A genioplasty changes the chin position or shape; it is not a substitute for correcting the bite between the upper and lower teeth. Ask which anatomical problem each proposed procedure addresses and whether the plan aims primarily at occlusion, facial balance or both.

A combined plan may address a jaw discrepancy that tooth movement alone cannot adequately correct, but it brings operative risks and a substantial recovery commitment. Swelling, stiffness and temporary difficulty opening the mouth or eating require preparation. Bleeding, infection, an unsatisfactory bite and further procedures are possible. Sensation changes, particularly around the lower lip or chin after some operations, can persist and may be permanent. Discuss the risks of the actual proposed operation, as well as how meals, oral care, work and communication would be managed while recovering.