Pediatric Jaw Surgery

Jaw conditions and injuries can affect your child’s ability to eat, speak and grow. Our pediatric surgeons at Children’s Hospital offer specialized evaluation and innovative treatments tailored to your child’s needs.

Surgery can repair your child’s underdeveloped or uneven jaw. At MU Health care, we routinely perform these procedures, even on newborns. Our pediatric surgeons are the region’s only experts in reconstructive jaw surgery in kids.

Is My Child a Candidate for Jaw Surgery?

Your child may benefit from jaw reconstruction surgery if they have a condition such as:

Cleft palate, which is a gap in the roof of the mouth
Pierre Robin sequence or Treacher Collins syndrome, which cause babies to be born with a small jaw
Hemifacial microsomia, which creates an “uneven” facial appearance
Certain types of craniosynostosis and craniofacial syndromes that affect facial development
Sleep apnea that has not improved with other treatments
Certain orthodontic issues like overbites and underbites that cannot be corrected with braces alone

Even infants and small children can have jaw surgery, particularly if their jaw issue affects their ability to breathe or eat. Some kids may need a series of procedures to repair their jaw as they grow older.

Preparing for reconstructive jaw surgery

You can get a referral to see a pediatric surgeon from your child’s primary care provider, orthodontist or dentist. We also provide second opinions on the latest options to repair your child’s jaw.

Types of Pediatric Jaw Surgery at MU Health Care

We offer the following advanced pediatric jaw procedures:

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis: Uses a special device to lengthen the lower jaw (mandible).
Maxillary distraction osteogenesis: Involves a similar device to lengthen the upper jaw (maxilla).
Osteotomies (orthognathic surgery): Involve cutting and repositioning bones in the upper or lower jaw for better alignment or symmetry (evenness).
Surgeries that combine these techniques: Can lengthen or shorten the upper or lower jaw to better align teeth.

Our Approach to Pediatric Jaw Surgery

Our team of pediatric jaw surgery specialists includes:

Pediatric plastic surgeons: Have specialized training in jaw reconstruction and other types of craniofacial surgery.
Pediatric plastic surgery nurses: Help coordinate your child’s care.
Pediatric ear, nose and throat specialists (ENTs): Can help if your child has sleep apnea from their jaw condition.
Pediatric pulmonologists: Help treat breathing and sleep issues.
Geneticists: Can test your baby for genetic mutations that may affect their jaw development.
Orthodontists: We work with your child’s orthodontist to ensure a smooth process from braces to surgery to post-surgery dental care.

Other Services to Support Your Family

In addition to expert pediatric surgery, Children’s Hospital provides other services, including:

Audiology if your child was born with a condition that also affects their hearing
Speech-language pathology if your baby or child has issues with speech or swallowing
Dietary services to manage nutritional concerns if your child has difficulty feeding
Child life to reduce your child’s stress during tests, surgeries and hospital stays

What to Expect With Pediatric Jaw Surgery

If you come to us for pediatric jaw surgery, we’ll personalize treatment based on your child’s age, condition and other factors.

Jaw Surgery for Newborns

When a baby’s jaw severely affects their breathing or feeding, we may recommend surgery soon after they are born. Having jaw surgery also eliminates the need for a tracheostomy (surgery to create an opening in the neck).

Our team can perform a mandibular or maxillary distraction to lengthen your baby’s jawbone with a special device. This procedure immediately opens the airway and allows your baby to eat.

Jaw Surgery for Older Children and Teens

For older kids, we’ll work with your child’s orthodontist to get your child ready for surgery. Pre-surgical preparation may involve aligning the teeth with braces or other devices before bones are moved during surgery.

After surgery, your child will return to their orthodontist, who can provide braces or other treatments to improve their tooth alignment. We may also recommend a long-term plan that includes future jaw surgeries as your child grows.