Minor interventions – major effects: The opportunities of modern dentofacial surgery Dear Patient, Michael Schumacher’s face often has been wondered about. Why does his chin seem so long and why does his voice sound so nasal? The reason: Michael Schumacher suffers from profound dysgnathia* - upper and lower jaw bones are developed differently. The disharmonic appearance of the profile and the limited nasal breathing represent the typical consequences of dysgnathia. Those affected often suffer from aching mandibular joints, headache or back pain. The form of dysgnathia from which the racer suffers does not represent an exception. However, only very few individuals are aware that dysgnathia may be cured by way of complicated but particularly gentle methods of dentofacial surgery.

Contents: The face: Our most expressive feature When teeth and jaws are out of place How to cure dysgnathia How are operations on the jaw performed   Most frequent forms of dysgnathia By a minimum of invasive surgical techniques each section of the jaw and the facial skull may be corrected without cuts of the skin and without extensive wire fixations of the bones. Thus, functional problems may be eliminated and the aesthetic appearance harmonized at the same time. The following pages are intended to inform you of the fascinating opportunities facial surgery offers today and the preconditions to be fulfilled for a successful surgery. Dr.  Dr. Wolfgang Kater

* The term dysgnathia stands for the summary of defective developments of the teeth, the jaw bones and/or the masticatory apparatus. The anomalies may affect the position of the teeth, the form of the jaws, the position of the jaw bones to each other or the location of the jaws within the skull; such anomalies may lead to aesthetic and functional impairments.

Prominent persons suffering from dysgnathia:

Data requiring information in accordance with German law (TDG Teledienstgesetz 01/02) Board responsible: Hessen Medical Association