Orthognathic surgery is probably a very obscure term for a lot of people. Basically, orthognathic surgery is corrective jaw surgery. This procedure is for those patients who are suffering from skeletal abnormalities, which may impact the jaw, face, and mouth.
Another use for this surgery is if a patient is in excruciating pain for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons may include suffering with TMJ disorder, which is a joint in the face that allows your jaw to move. Another reason you may be recommended this treatment plan is if you have severely worn down teeth, migraines, or difficulty eating and swallowing.
It is important to know that this surgery is typically done in severe cases, and is to improve the quality of mobility, end pain, and improve other functions, such as chewing and biting.
When is Corrective Jaw Surgery Needed?
There are several reasons why corrective jaw surgery may be necessary for patients in [city],[state]. They can include: facial trauma that has impacted the jaw, wisdom tooth extractions, temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) disorder, sleep apnea treatment, and aesthetic issues such as overbite. Your dentist can assess the state of your jaw health to determine the best most appropriate treatment plan for you to maximize outcomes and jaw health.
Some Of The Times That Corrective Jaw Surgery Is Needed Includes:
Facial Trauma Treatment
When any trauma to the face results in damage to the jawbone or teeth, corrective surgery may be able to help. Procedures such as bone grafting or dental implants can help improve jaw functioning and appearance, giving you a brand-new smile. Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is often the solution.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth, found in the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom for adults.
If a wisdom tooth doesn’t have room to grow (impacted wisdom tooth), a painful experience can be the result, along with infection or other dental problems. This will likely lead to the need to have it pulled or removed. This procedure, wisdom tooth extraction may be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon. For some patients, to prevent potential future problems, some dentists and oral surgeons may recommend wisdom tooth extraction even if impacted teeth aren’t currently causing problems or pain as a preventive care measure.
Temporomandibular Jaw (TMJ) Disorder Treatments
TMJ disorder typically involves misalignment and can be caused by several reasons, including genetic or trauma. TMJ disorder can be the source of several problems that interfere with comfortable, normal daily functioning. Everything from breathing to eating to sleeping is impacted by your jaw health.
One treatment option for TMJ disorder includes arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of small needles into the joint, allowing fluid to flow freely to remove debris and inflammation. This type of jaw surgery can be as effective for treating various types of TMJ disorders as other types of jaw surgery. During this procedure, a small thin tube (cannula) is placed into the joint space, an arthroscope is then inserted and small surgical instruments are used for surgery. TMJ arthroscopy has fewer risks and complications than open-joint surgery does, however, limitations exist as well.
Other treatment options for TMJ includes corticosteroid injections into the joint along with injecting botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into the jaw muscles used for chewing may relieve pain associated with TMJ disorders.
Modified condylotomy, another treatment option that addresses the TMJ indirectly, involves surgery on the mandible, but not in the joint directly. This procedure may be helpful for treating pain or if locking of the jaw is experienced.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Misaligned jaws can impact sleep, often leading to sleep apnea, which can be fatal and dangerous if left untreated. Treatment for sleep apnea to improve your sleep and get you the rest you need can involve jaw adjustments to shift your jaws slightly forward to prevent the throat tissues from interfering with breathing during sleep. Other options can include mouthguards or corrective surgical techniques, including orthognathic surgery as mentioned above.
Are You Looking For A Qualified Jaw Surgeon?
Our oral surgeons are the best-trained doctors in the dental field, having achieved the highest level of training and education in oral and maxillofacial surgery, including complex rehabilitation of the jaw. With over 35 years of experience, we have perfected our surgical skills and offer minimally invasive and predictable jaw surgery.
With an oral surgeon who is board-certified by the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology, we’re equipped to offer custom anesthesia options in our modern surgical facility and are here to help you feel comfortable and safe during your surgery.
Jaw surgery is often a complex procedure, and we want you to feel confident choosing us for your treatment. If you’re struggling with debilitating jaw issues, contact our oral surgeons for a personalized consultation.