Maxillomandibulaire

Maxillomandibulaire, also referred to in English as maxillomandibular, is an adjective relating to both the maxilla (upper jaw) and the mandible (lower jaw). In clinical contexts it describes conditions, disorders, and procedures that involve both jaws, as opposed to single-jaw processes. The maxilla forms the upper jaw and central midface, while the mandible is the movable lower jaw. The occlusion between these structures and their connection via the temporomandibular joints are central to function, aesthetics, and airway considerations.

In practice, maxillomandibular approaches are common in maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) immobilizes the jaws to aid fracture healing or to facilitate orthodontic movement. Orthognathic surgery frequently combines procedures on both jaws, such as Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla and a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible, to correct skeletal discrepancies and malocclusion. The term "bimaxillary surgery" is often used for procedures addressing both jaws.

Diagnosis and planning depend on cephalometric analysis, dental models, and imaging (panoramic radiographs, CT or CBCT). Postoperative care includes soft diet, oral hygiene, and monitoring for complications such as infection, malocclusion, nerve injury, or relapse.