{"id":2283,"date":"2025-12-04T17:30:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T17:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jawsurgerynj.com\/?page_id=2283"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:04:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T16:04:07","slug":"le-fort-i-osteotomy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jawsurgerynj.com\/es\/le-fort-i-osteotomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Osteotom\u00eda Le Fort I"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Le Fort I Osteotomy<\/h1><\/header>\n\n\n\n

Repositioning The Upper Jaw To Restore Function, Balance, and Aesthetics<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Is a Le Fort I Osteotomy?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Understanding the Le Fort I Osteotomy Procedure<\/h3><\/div>

A Le Fort I osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to reposition the upper jaw when it is not properly aligned with the lower jaw or surrounding facial structures. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully moves the upper jaw into its planned position to improve the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and face.

By correcting the underlying skeletal imbalance, the surgery can improve chewing, speech, breathing, facial balance, and overall jaw function while providing long-term stability.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>

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What Patients Find Most Helpful to Know About the Le Fort I Procedure<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Final results take time<\/h4><\/div>

Initial swelling improves significantly during the first week and then continues to resolve steadily over the following months.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nasal congestion improves<\/h4><\/div>

Nasal congestion is common after surgery but typically improves significantly within the first week as swelling begins to subside.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The first week is the hardest<\/h4><\/div>

Healing becomes much easier after the first 7\u201310 days pass.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Your jaws will not be wired shut<\/h4><\/div>

Titanium plates hold the bones, so wiring is usually unnecessary.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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When Is A Le Fort I Performed?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Indications for Le Fort I<\/h3><\/div>

A Le Fort I osteotomy is performed when the upper jaw (maxilla) is misaligned with the lower jaw or facial structures, affecting bite, chewing, speech, or breathing. It is also used to correct facial asymmetry, an open bite, excessive tooth display, or airway issues. This surgery is typically part of a coordinated orthodontic and surgical plan to ensure long-term stability and balanced facial appearance.

It may be recommended in cases such as:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Upper jaw misalignment with the lower jaw<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Bite problems affecting chewing or speaking<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Facial asymmetry<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Open bite issues<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Excessive tooth display<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Airway or breathing concerns<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Benefits Of Le Fort I Osteotomy<\/h2><\/div>

A Le Fort I osteotomy provides both functional and aesthetic improvements to enhance the bite, appearance, and overall facial harmony.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Improved bite and chewing efficiency<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Enhanced speech clarity<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Better airway and breathing support<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Reduced strain on jaw joints<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Balanced facial proportions<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Improved smile symmetry<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Virtual Surgical Planning<\/h2><\/div>

Precision-Guided Surgical Planning with 3D Analysis and Simulation.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Digital Records<\/h3><\/div>

CBCT and intraoral scans capture bone and tooth anatomy and support surgical planning with sub-millimeter precision.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

0.1 mm<\/strong> Accuracy<\/sup><\/sub><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Virtual Surgical Planning<\/h3><\/div>

Surgeons collaborate with biomedical engineers in real time to simulate and perfect the surgical plan, visualizing movements from every angle before surgery.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

360\u00b0<\/strong> Simulation<\/sup><\/sub><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Custom Surgical Splints<\/h4><\/div>

Patient-specific surgical splints guide the jaw into the exact planned position during surgery.
100%<\/strong> Custom Fit<\/sub><\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Custom Cutting Guides<\/h4><\/div>

Custom osteotomy guides ensure bone cuts are made precisely as planned, maximizing accuracy.
<1 mm<\/strong> Precision<\/sub><\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Custom Titanium Plates<\/h4><\/div>

Patient-specific titanium fixation plates are contoured to the patient’s anatomy for optimal stability and healing.
Ti-6Al-4V<\/strong> Medical-Grade<\/sup><\/sub><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How Is Le Fort I Osteotomy Performed?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Le Fort I osteotomy is carefully planned and executed to reposition the upper jaw safely, restoring both function and facial balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tComprehensive Planning<\/strong><\/span><\/div>

Before surgery, a detailed analysis of the upper jaw and facial skeleton is conducted using clinical photographs, dental models, and CT imaging. This data is used to build a three-dimensional virtual model of the patient’s anatomy, allowing precise planning of the degree and direction of upper jaw movement needed to correct bite alignment, vertical position, facial symmetry, and profile. Custom cutting guides and patient-specific plates are fabricated in advance based on this plan, ensuring that what is designed virtually is executed accurately in the operating room.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tIncision Placement<\/strong><\/span><\/div>

The incision is made in the fold of tissue between the upper lip and gum, extending from the first molar on one side to the first molar on the other. This approach leaves no visible scars on the face. The soft tissue is carefully elevated to expose the upper jaw while preserving the surrounding nerves and blood vessels.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tBone Repositioning<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/div>

Using custom cutting guides, precise cuts are made through the upper jaw above the tooth roots, allowing the entire tooth-bearing segment to be separated and moved as a single unit. The upper jaw can be moved forward, backward, upward, downward, or rotated depending on the treatment plan. This level of control allows for simultaneous correction of bite, airway, and facial proportions.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tFixation<\/strong><\/span><\/div>

The repositioned upper jaw is secured with custom titanium plates and screws designed specifically for the patient’s anatomy. The plates are pre-bent to the planned position, so seating them confirms accurate placement. The hardware is low-profile, biocompatible, and remains in place permanently.

In most cases, titanium fixation does not interfere with MRI examinations or trigger airport security screening devices. However, because individual circumstances may vary, patients should consult their surgeon regarding any questions about implanted hardware.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tClosure<\/strong><\/span><\/div>

The incision is closed with absorbable sutures that dissolve on their own. No suture removal is needed.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tRecovery and Monitoring<\/strong><\/span><\/div>

Patients typically go home the morning after surgery. During the first week, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness. Most patients feel significantly better after that, and the majority are feeling much more like themselves by the second week. A liquid and soft diet is maintained during the healing period. Some temporary numbness or altered sensation in the upper lip, teeth, and palate is normal during the recovery period and typically improves as healing progresses.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Le Fort I Surgery<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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