Conditions We Treat

The Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Maxillofacial Surgery/Orthognathic Surgery Program provides surgery and treatment for children with complex jaw-related conditions. These include:

• Cleft lip and palate
• Craniofacial syndromes, including Apert, Carpenter, Crouzon, Muenke, Pfeiffer and Saethre-Chotzen, Nager, Treacher Collins, and Robin sequence
• Ectodermal dysplasia
• Hemifacial microsomia
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (treated both nonsurgically and surgically)

About maxillofacial surgery/orthognathic surgery

Maxillofacial and orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or chin, or a combination of the three. To precisely guide surgery, we use computer-guided surgical planning (CGSP) to create an extensive 3-D map of the jaw and facial contours. The 3-D map gives us an intricate step-by-step guide for conducting the surgery and restoring jaw function by incorporating imaging scans, dental impressions, and clinical photos.

Some surgery basics:

• Often, your child will need to wear braces before and after surgery for several months to complete the alignment of the teeth.
• Your child may be fitted with orthodontic anchoring devices and custom hardware during and after surgery.
• If your child has significant jaw misalignments, we may slowly move the bone over a period of days or weeks with a procedure called distraction osteogenesis before completing reconstructive jaw surgery.
• Some children require a bone graft or microvascular tissue transfer as part of the procedure.
• We often combine plastic surgery with jaw surgery to improve your child’s facial features, which may include rhinoplasty (reconstruction of the nose).
• We offer second opinions as well as revision surgery.

Preparing for pediatric jaw surgery

We understand that surgery is a big step for parents and families. That’s why we keep you well-informed on how to best prepare for surgery, including what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.