What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, which is more commonly known as corrective jaw surgery, is a procedure that is regularly performed on patients whose jaws do not meet properly. The misalignment of the jaws or an improper bite can result in a variety of problems affecting the mouth and facial structure.
WHY DO I NEED CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERY?
Sometimes an orthodontist can correct the problem without jaw surgery. But in some cases, the problem is severe enough for the orthodontist to work with an oral surgeon to correct the bite with orthognathic surgery.
A misaligned jaw can cause a variety of problems, including
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- The inability to properly chew and grind food
- Digestive problems
- The inability to fully close the lips
- Heavy breathing
- Impaired speech function
- Poor facial aesthetics
- Dental crowding
- Poor oral hygiene
- Increased risk of dental caries and periodontal disease
- Shorter tooth lifespan
While the main goal of orthognathic surgery is to correct the jaw’s function, this procedure has the potential to offer more balanced facial proportions and facial aesthetics.
Patients who choose to have corrective jaw surgery can expect to experience:
- Minimal treatment time
- Enhanced facial harmony and aesthetic appearance
- Improved chewing and speech
- Improved respiratory function
- Decreased likelihood of short- and long-term relapse
If you have been recommended for orthognathic surgery, your orthodontist will first prepare your teeth and jaws with braces before surgery. Once braces are applied, the surgical team at Greater Modesto Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center will perform a procedure which separates your jaw, moves the bones to their new permanent position, and secures them in place. Next, your orthodontist will step in to make any final minor adjustments needed to finish the process before removing your braces.
If you think that you may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery, we encourage you to contact our office for an initial consultation with either Dr. Barber or Dr. Springer. Each of our oral surgeons have completed extensive surgical training and education, making them uniquely qualified to examine and treat abnormalities of the jaw and face.
