ortognat

Ortognat is a term used in dentistry and maxillofacial medicine to describe conditions, procedures, or individuals associated with orthognathic jaw alignment. It relates to the skeletal relationship between the upper and lower jaws, rather than to the teeth alone.

Etymology derives from Greek, with orthos meaning straight and gnathos meaning jaw. In many languages, the root appears in forms such as orthognathic or ortognat to denote the same concept of jaw alignment and related surgery.

In medical contexts, orthognathic treatment is used to correct skeletal discrepancies that affect function or appearance. These discrepancies can interfere with chewing, biting, speech, breathing, or facial harmony, and they may be present at birth or develop over time.

Common conditions involve Class II retrognathia (receded lower jaw), Class III prognathism (protruding lower jaw), skeletal open bite, transverse or vertical discrepancies, and facial asymmetry. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, radiographs, cephalometric analysis, and often 3D imaging to assess skeletal and dental relationships.

Treatment usually combines orthodontics and surgery. Preoperative orthodontics align teeth and decompensate bite refs, followed by surgical procedures such as Le Fort I osteotomy for the maxilla, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for the mandible, and sometimes genioplasty. Postoperative orthodontics refine the occlusion and aesthetics.

Outcomes typically include improved mastication, speech, breathing, and facial balance, with higher patient satisfaction. Risks include nerve injury, infection, relapse, or the need for additional procedures, though modern planning aims to minimize complications.