Also known as “corrective jaw surgery”, this is the process of repositioning severely misaligned jaws. While orthodontics (braces) can treat crooked teeth, underlying issues with the alignment of the jaws (such as the upper and lower teeth not meeting correctly) must be addressed by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Misalignment may occur because of genetics, growth abnormalities or trauma. With orthognathic surgery, we are able to align the upper and lower jaw properly.
Advancements in technology over the years have provided new tools and techniques to minimize recovery time and maximize results. We are now able to understand an accurate picture of your jaw as it is now, and we can even give you an idea of what it will look like after treatment using special computer software and 3D imaging.
Orthognathic surgery is a significant procedure, and thus often requires months of preparation and extensive consultation prior to the surgery itself. Your surgeon will explain the surgery and the benefits and indications at your consultation appointment. Depending upon the type of “corrective jaw surgery” you are discussing, recovery times can range from 2-6 weeks after surgery. Some corrective jaw surgery procedures can be performed under general anesthesia in the office outpatient setting, while others must be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Your surgeon will explain which setting is best for your case. The length of the operation varies depending upon which type of jaw surgery you are discussing, but the average can range anywhere from 3-8 hours.
Recovery from jaw surgery depends on which type of jaw surgery you are having and it is best to discuss with your surgeon what to expect for recovery at your consultation appointment
Determining whether or not to move forward with jaw surgery is not always an easy decision to make, but we will be here with you every step of the way. Please call our office to find out more.