Definitions in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
Cosmetic surgeons, oral surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons use a specific vocabulary, and here we will attempt to simplify medical vocabulary with 100% accessible definitions. You will finally be able to understand the reports and prescriptions issued by your doctor or surgeon.
The main definitions
Rhinoplasty
Nose surgery
. It is said to be functional if it restores one of the functions of the nose (smell, breathing, etc.) or aesthetic if it only concerns its shape and size.
Genioplasty
Chin surgery
to correct the shape or position. This involves reducing the size of the chin (a chin lift) or moving the chin forward (a receding chin).
Osteotomy
Un os est coupé pour en modifier la forme ou la longueur. Le morceau coupé est refixé après avoir été modifié ou déplacé à l’aide de plaques et vis en titane.
Maxillary
This is the upper jaw (where the upper teeth are attached).
Mandible
Lower jaw , where the lower teeth are attached and which moves when you chew or open your mouth.
Septoplasty
This is one of the operations related to rhinoplasty. It is the operation that corrects the deviation of the nasal septum.
Turbinoplasty
Nasal duct surgery to improve breathing through the nose.
Sinus
Cavities located in the bones of the face and skull. Most are around the nose.
Alveoli
Cavities in which the roots of the teeth are located.
Orbit
Bony part that is around the eye.
Zygomatic
Relates to the zygoma, a bone located in the cheek.
Fort I
Cutting the upper jaw bone so that it can be moved and then reattached using titanium plates and screws.
Fort II
Pyramid cut of the upper jaw including the base of the nose so that it can be moved and then reattached in the correct position.
Fort III
A large bony cut that extends from the base of the skull to the eye sockets. It allows a large portion of the upper jaw area to be moved forward or pivoted.
Osteosynthesis
Fixation of “free” bone ends to a fixed bone so that they fuse together. Fixation using titanium plates and screws.
Questions about osteosynthesis and facial surgery
Device inserted into the body to replace a biological organ, bone, tissue, conduit, etc.
Implantation of a bone or bone fragments into the body at a location where it is missing. The bone can be implanted whole, in pieces, or as ground bone. The surgeon may also implant a small titanium grid to prevent the ground bone from dispersing while it waits for it to consolidate with the supporting bone. If it is implanted without being ground, it is secured with plates and screws.
This is a surgery to harmonize the face when viewed from the side. It will therefore often involve surgery on the chin and/or nose.
It is a sagging of a part of the body. This is the case of a drooping eyelid, for example.
It is an abnormality in the shape or structure of a body part.
Misalignment of teeth and jaws. Class II = lower jaw moved back. Class III = lower jaw moved forward.
Contact between the teeth when closing the mouth.
The upper jaw (top teeth) is too far forward in relation to the lower jaw (or vice versa depending on the overall shape of the skull). This often results in a receding chin.
The lower jaw is too far forward in relation to the lower jaw. The lower teeth move in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. This results in a “bulldog” jaw.
This is an operation that will affect both jaws. The upper jaw and the lower jaw. It allows you to correct significant discrepancies and achieve a natural result.
Surgery specializing in the correction of the position, orientation, shape… of the jaws.
It is the rounded end of the lower jawbone, where the jaw pivots when you open or close your mouth.
Joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It is near the ear and cheek.
Inflammation of a sinus (cavity in a bone).
This is when a broken or displaced bone is put back into place.
This is when the nasal septum and nasal passages are not aligned in the center of the face.
This is the groove of skin and cartilage located between the two nostrils.
Il s’agit de l’arête du nez, le dessus du nez. Là où on peut avoir une bosse (nez bossu) ou un creux (nez en trompette) par exemple.
