Asymmetry Double Jaw Surgery Review: Why Results Remain Stable Without Relapse After 12 Years
- Dr. Park
- Jul 24
- 4 min read
Hello, I am Dr. Park Jong-chul, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.
When discussing the success of double jaw surgery, I consider "long-term stability of results" to be one of the most critical requirements. While the dramatic changes immediately after surgery are important, a procedure can only be deemed truly successful when those results are stably maintained for over 5 or 10 years.
In reality, however, it is rare to find surgeons who consistently track patient progress for over a decade and transparently publish that data. This difficulty often signifies the challenge of achieving and proving long-term stability.
Today, I would like to go beyond a simple case review and delve deeply into the topic of "long-term stability." I will do so by presenting the case of a patient with facial asymmetry whom I personally operated on and have followed up with for 12 years. This record will serve as objective evidence of how stable results from asymmetry double jaw surgery can be achieved and maintained for over a decade.
Asymmetrical Jaw Surgery: Are the Results Still Stable After 12 Years?
Pre-operative Analysis and Surgical Plan
Upon visiting the clinic, the patient presented with facial asymmetry, including a chin deviation of 4.49mm to the left and a tendency toward a mandibular prognathism (protruding lower jaw). To improve the overall facial balance and occlusion, the following surgical plan was established:
Le Fort I Osteotomy: A conventional rotational Le Fort I osteotomy was performed to correct the position and angle of the maxilla (upper jaw).
Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO): The mandible (lower jaw) was repositioned to match the corrected maxilla, thereby restoring symmetry.
Genioplasty and Facial Contouring: To achieve overall harmony, zygoma (cheekbone) reduction, genioplasty (chin surgery), and mandibular angle (jawline) reduction were performed concurrently.
A 12-Year Journey in Data
[Pre-op vs. Post-op 1 Year] One year after the surgery, the data confirms that the asymmetry and prognathism were corrected as planned, showing a stable outcome.
[Post-op 1 Year vs. Post-op 12 Years]
This is the most noteworthy part of the case. After 11 more years had passed, the data from the two time points were superimposed and analyzed. Aside from the removal of orthodontic appliances and minor, natural bone growth observed at the mandibular angle, no significant relapse or skeletal changes were observed in the position of the jawbones or the morphology of the condyles (TMJ).
This is objective data proving that the improvements obtained from the surgery were maintained with remarkable stability over a 12-year period.
Long-Term Stability: A Partnership Between Surgeon's Responsibility and Patient's Effort
How was such a stable result, maintained for 12 years, possible? It comes down to two key factors.
First is the surgeon's role. Establishing a precise plan through scientific analysis and executing it accurately in the operating room is the fundamental prerequisite for a stable outcome. Furthermore, I believe it is a crucial responsibility of the surgeon to observe the patient's condition with a sense of duty and confirm long-term stability.
Second is the patient's active effort. This is precisely why I emphasize the importance of Myofunctional Therapy (MFT) to all my double jaw surgery patients. Even after the bones are repositioned through surgery, if the surrounding muscles—the tongue, lips, and cheeks—retain their old, incorrect habits (e.g., tongue thrusting, mouth breathing), they can exert continuous pressure on the bones, potentially causing micro-movements and leading to relapse.
MFT is a process of functional training that re-educates the muscles to work in harmony with the new skeletal structure. This includes exercises for proper tongue posture, correct swallowing patterns, and appropriate lip sealing. It is analogous to maintaining good posture and strengthening core muscles after spinal surgery to prevent recurrence. If surgery corrects the structure, MFT is the essential process that creates the functional environment for that structure to remain stable.
While the recently popular "Mewing" trend applies some principles of MFT, it's critical to understand that MFT is not a method to treat skeletal problems. Rather, it is an important adjunctive therapy to stabilize and maintain surgical results long-term.
In conclusion, a successful outcome in asymmetry double jaw surgery is not achieved by the surgeon's precise work alone. A lasting result that withstands the test of time is only possible through a combination of the patient's consistent effort to adapt to the new environment and the surgeon's dedicated, long-term management of that process.
If you are considering treatment, I advise you to look beyond the immediate post-operative results. Be sure to inquire about how those results are maintained long-term and what kind of post-operative care programs are provided before making a thoughtful decision. Thank you.
Asymmetry Double Jaw Surgery Review
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