Surgical Orthodontics
(Orthognathic Surgery)
Orthognathic Surgery
Sometimes, jaw discrepancies are quite pronounced – the upper and/or lower jaw(s) may be too large or small and not fit properly with the cranial base – and require orthognathic surgery. This type of surgery corrects skeletal discrepancies in the bony structures of the teeth and jaws.
Who Needs Jaw Surgery
Orthognathic surgery may be a solution for people with jaw alignment and improper bites. If not corrected, your chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance may be negatively impacted. While orthodontics alone may be sufficient to correct tooth-related issues, orthodontic problems involving the jaw alignment often require orthognathic surgery.
The following symptoms may be indicative of a problem requiring jaw surgery:
- Speech Problems
- Difficulty in Chewing, Biting or Swallowing
- Protruding Jaw
- Chronic Jaw or TMJ Pain
- Underbite/Overbite
- Jaw, chin, and nose misaligned
- Open Bite (teeth don’t touch together)
- Breathing Problems
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Snoring
The Prep Work
Before surgery can take place, the teeth are moved into optimal position with orthodontic appliances (Braces or Invisalign). Due to the intricacy of the surgery, the process includes both pre-surgical and post-surgical orthodontics. New diagnostic records are made during the presurgical orthodontic preparation, allowing our highly skilled doctors to work hand-in-hand with the appropriate oral surgeon to develop a treatment plan that will improve the placement of the jaws and alignment of the teeth. After the jaw surgery, post-surgical orthodontics includes optimization of the teeth alignment. The result is a beautifully balanced bite and smile.