Indications for Treatment

A jaw deformity can be corrected with surgery. Yet, the mere presence of a deformity is not enough to warrant surgery. Surgery is indicated when the deformity is sufficiently severe that it cannot be camouflaged through a simpler treatment (e.g., orthodontics, genioplasty, etc.). Moreover, it must cause impairment or comorbidity. The impairment can be one of appearance or one of function (e.g., mastication, speech, breathing, or socialization, etc.). Comorbidities, which are concurrent conditions related to the primary condition, may also be present. Examples of comorbidities associated with jaw deformities are obstructive apnea, TMJ derangement, and occlusal soft-tissue impingement.