Long-Term Solutions to Critical Problems
Corrective-jaw, or orthognathic, surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to fix a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities—including the misalignment of jaws and teeth—that, when repaired, can improve chewing, speaking and breathing. While the patient’s appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, orthognathic is actually performed to correct functional problems.
Conditions Often Requiring Corrective-Jaw Surgery:
- Difficulty chewing or biting food
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
Excessive wear of the teeth- Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
- Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side
- Facial injury
- Birth defects
- Receding lower jaw and chin
- Protruding jaw
- Inability to make the lips meet without straining
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)
Your dentist, orthodontist and Oral Surgery Office doctor will work together to determine whether you are a candidate for corrective-jaw surgery. Dr. Coates and/or Dr. DeWitt will determine which corrective-jaw procedure is appropriate and, plan for they surgery at the appropriate time.
It is important to understand that your treatment, which will include orthodontics before and after surgery, may take several years to complete. Your Oral Surgery Office doctor and your orthodontist understand this is a long-term commitment for you and your family, and will try to realistically estimate the time required for your treatment.
Download an Orthognathic Surgery eBook courtesy of the AAOMS.
