Most times a Herbst appliance will be sufficient to correct differences in jaw growth. In a few patients, the facial bones grow in so differently that a Herbst appliance or regular orthodontics are not enough to correct the bite. In order to achieve a functional bite the bones have to be realigned. Disparate facial bones affect the facial profile significantly
ABOVE: An illustration of patient with smaller lower jaw creating a discrepancy between the upper front teeth and lower front teeth. This patient’s problem requires jaw surgery to correct the discrepancy. The blue line indicates where the lower jaw should line up.
ABOVE: After surgery the bony jaws line up and the patient’s profile is aligned (blue line).
ABOVE: A photograph of an adult showing a small lower jaw. The upper teeth are considerably in front of the lower teeth.
ABOVE: A photograph of the same adult showing the discrepancy between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The upper teeth protrude. The blue line reveals the amount of discrepancy.
ABOVE: A photograph of the finished treatment after the patient underwent jaw surgery to correct the bony deficiency of the lower jaw.