Final answer:
Orthognathic surgery on the maxilla must await the full development of the maxilla itself. This ensures appropriate maturation of the upper jaw and hard palate, crucial for the surgery's success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Orthognathic surgery of the maxilla cannot be performed until the maxilla is well developed. This is because the maxilla forms the upper jaw, supports the upper teeth, and is integral to the structure of the hard palate. Each tooth is anchored into a deep socket called an alveolus in the alveolar process of the maxilla, which underlines the importance of its development before performing such a surgery. Moreover, during early childhood, the maxillary bone undergoes significant changes as the teeth begin to appear and the face enlarges rapidly, which includes the growth of the alveolar processes.
In cleft palate cases, the failure of the palatine processes of the maxilla bones and the horizontal plates of the palatine bones to fuse at the midline creates a gap, illustrating the significance of proper development and fusion of these structures for facial integrity. Surgical interventions in the maxilla area require the maxilla to be sufficiently developed to ensure proper healing and outcomes.