Whether due to a prior injury, accident, or severe TMJ complications, sometimes jaw problems require more than traditional orthodontic treatment such as orthognathic surgery, also known as jaw surgery or repositioning.
If you or loved one are considering this solution to complex jaw issues, below are a few important things to understand about the process.
What Exactly is Orthognathic Surgery?
Jaw or orthognathic surgery is designed to correct irregularities of the jaw bones that conventional orthodontic treatment cannot and realigns the jaws and teeth to encourage proper function. In doing so, orthognathic surgery can dramatically improve chewing, speaking, breathing, and even help enhance your appearance.
When Would Jaw Surgery be Necessary?
Some conditions may require corrective intervention with orthognathic surgery. Whether due to an abnormal growth in jawbone development, inherited issues, arthritis, or other complications, jaw surgery is recommended for the following:
- Allow for proper biting, easier chewing, and improve both overall.
- Correcting issues with swallowing or speech.
- Minimize excessive wear and breakdown of teeth.
- Address bite or jaw closure complications, such as when molars touch but front teeth do not.
- Correct facial imbalance or asymmetry, such as small chins, complex under-bites, overbites, and cross-bites.
- Relieve pain or discomfort due to temporomandibular joint, or TMJ disorders and other jaw issues.
- Repair facial features and reposition jaws damaged due to accident or injury.
- Provide relief for severe sleep apnea complications.
What You Can Expect During Treatment
Orthognathic surgery can be performed on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. It is ideal to administer the procedure after jawbone growth stops, typically around ages 13 to 15 for females, and 16 to 18 for males. Surgery may take place in an in-patient or out-patient circumstance, depending on your requirements for the procedure.
Once your jaws are properly aligned, bone plates help secure the jawbone into its new position. Some cases may require extra bone to be added to the jaw for further support. Bone from other areas of the body are taken and secured with temporary wires.
What to Expect After Surgery
Initial jaw healing can often take about six weeks after surgery but may take up to 12 weeks to heal completely. Once treated, your trusted orthodontist finishes aligning your smile with braces. When teeth are at their desired uniformity, the braces are removed, and retainers are used to maintain ideal dental position.
Highly skilled, trusted, and reputable orthodontist, Dr. Richard Grant truly cares about the overall well-being of your smile. The entire team at Braces By Grant encourages you to contact any of our three locations in Carmel Valley, Encinitas, and 4S Ranch to schedule your initial consultation for orthognathic surgery today!