Orthognathic surgery is surgery to correct a wide variety of abnormalities of the jaw and teeth. This surgery is often done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. While the patient’s appearance may be significantly improved as a result, the primary purpose of the surgery is to correct functional problems including but not limited to:
- Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side profile
- Protruding jaw
- Receding chin
- Open bite (upper and lower teeth don’t overlap properly when mouth is closed)
- Excessive wearing down of the teeth
- Difficulty with chewing or biting
- Difficulty with clear speech
- Difficulty making lips touch when mouth is closed
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Sleeping problems like sleep apnea and snoring
- TMJ pain (jaw joint pain)
- Restoring facial injuries
Corrective jaw surgery will move your teeth and jaws into more facially balanced positions that also improve teeth, jaw, and joint function. The results of corrective jaw surgery can be very dramatic and can greatly improve your oral health and self esteem.
With the help of state-of-the-art digital imaging technology, you can see the benefits of orthognathic, or corrective jaw surgery, illustrated right at your initial consultation. Once you are have been completely educated about your treatment options, we will collectively determine the best treatment plan for you.
There have been many advances in the materials and techniques used during jaw surgery that have greatly improved the stability of the surgical correction as well as reduce the recovery time after surgery.
To learn more about issues that can be addressed via orthodontics, read through our page devoted to common orthodontic conditions. Once you have a better understanding of orthodontics in general, contact our practice for more detailed information, or to schedule a consultation.