Surgical orthodontics can correct jaw issues in the late teen and adult years. Call Macdonald Orthodontics in Mesa and Gilbert for a consultation!
Imagine showing up for your first orthodontic appointment and sitting down for your exam. Near the end, your orthodontist says that you need an orthodontic surgery. It’s okay!
Though that may seem scary, there are some issues that need surgery to help correct them. These problems include the following:
- Severe misalignment of the upper and lower teeth.
- Unhealthy bite patterns.
- Jaw bone problems.
Your orthodontist knows the limits of braces and Invisalign and knows how to enhance your treatment with surgery when needed. We’ll explain your options, and we’re always open to spending extra time answering any questions you have.
Do I Need Orthodontic Surgery?
We will only recommend surgery if your jaw has certain issues and we see that traditional orthodontics won’t fully solve them. Orthodontics is the science of repositioning the teeth and jaws, and only surgery can complete those tasks in some cases.
Some common goals that might require surgery include:
- Fixing the way your upper and lower teeth fit together (your bite).
- Helping you breathe better while you sleep or reducing mouth breathing.
- Saving your teeth from being worn down more.
- Improving the way you chew, bite, or swallow.
- Finding a remedy for a facial condition or injury.
- Improving your facial symmetry.
- Relieving the pain of jaw joint conditions.
Orthodontic surgery is usually performed on a patient whose jaw has finished growing, which means they’re in their late teens, 20s, or later. In patients younger than this, we often can correct the bite and jaw through braces alone while the jaw is still growing.
What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Surgery?
Remember, the goal of the surgery is to give you better dental health and function. It often realigns the upper and lower teeth, helping you bite, chew, or speak better and much more.
Repairing a Misaligned Jaw
We sometimes use surgery to quickly move a jaw that is out of position because of genetics, an issue during development, or injury. Jaw misalignment can cause an overbite or underbite—or cause the upper and lower teeth not to touch at all or only to touch on one side.
Improving the alignment of the jaw will help you eat more easily, prevent faster wear and tear on your teeth, and could even improve your facial appearance.
Relieving Difficulties With Breathing and Speaking
Jaw misalignment can also cause sleep apnea (poor sleep because your airway is partly blocked), mouth breathing, and problems swallowing and eating. These issues can lead to chronic pain, jaw disorders, and fatigue. Getting surgery could help prevent these issues.
What to Expect From Orthodontic Surgery: The Process
We’ll start your orthodontic treatment, such as braces, before surgery. This will align your teeth to get them ready to fit together after surgery. Then, we’ll also keep using braces after surgery to complete your healthy new smile.
The surgery itself involves these steps:
- Consultation: We’ll discuss your case with you and bring in a surgeon if you choose to move forward.
- Planning: The team will create a custom plan for your treatment, including moving your teeth before surgery, the surgery itself, and the steps to finish your orthodontic treatment.
- Surgery: With you under anesthesia, your surgeon will use the procedure(s) in your plan to improve the relative positions of your jaws.
After surgery, you may need to spend the night in the hospital. You also should plan to take time off of work or school, as well as eat differently while you recover.
Start Your Orthodontic Treatment at Macdonald Orthodontics Today!
Take the first step of getting an orthodontic consultation at Macdonald Orthodontics! Don’t worry about any orthodontic surgery before it starts. You may need only Invisalign® or braces—or no orthodontics at all. What’s important is taking the first step and finding out more.
Call Macdonald Orthodontics to get your initial exam. We’ll give you our best recommendations to give you an amazing smile fast. Plus, we’ll help you understand your insurance and payment options. Call today.