A Le Fort I Osteotomy is a surgical procedure that separates the upper jaw (Maxilla) from the other facial bones. It is performed in a hospital or surgical center, under general anesthesia, by an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon. This type of surgery is usually done in cases where the upper jaw needs to be lengthened, shortened, or moved into a more beneficial position. Your Orthodontist will consult with your Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon to determine the new position and a treatment plan. Once the upper jaw is placed in its new position, it is secured in place with tiny titanium plates and screws, which are left in permanently. The jawbones heal and fuse together again within a few weeks.
The above illustration shows the areas of the face involved in the three types of Le Fort Osteotomies.
Illustration by BruceBlaus – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60114074