Surgical Orthodontics
What is surgical orthodontics?
Just as
orthodontics repositions teeth,
surgical orthodontics (also known as
orthognathic surgery) corrects jaw
irregularities to improve the
patients’ ability to chew, speak,
and breathe and for improved facial
appearances. In other words,
surgical orthodontics straightens
your jaw. Moving the jaws also moves
the teeth, so braces are always
performed in conjunction with jaw
correction. This helps make sure
teeth are in their proper positions
after surgery.
Who needs surgical orthodontics?
Your orthodontist
will consider surgical orthodontic
treatment for non-growing adult
patients with improper bites and
those with facial esthetic concerns.
Jaw growth is usually completed by
age 16 for girls and 18 for boys.
All growth must be completed before
jaw surgery can be performed.
However the pre-surgical tooth
movements can begin one to two years
prior to these ages.
How does it work?
During your
orthodontic treatment, which usually
lasts 6-18 months, you wear braces
and will visit your orthodontist for
scheduled adjustments to your
braces. As your teeth move with the
braces, you may think that your bite
is getting worse rather than better.
However, when your jaws are placed
into proper alignment during
orthognathic surgery, the teeth will
then fit into their proper
positions.
Surgery is
performed in the hospital with an
oral surgeon, and can take several
hours, depending on the amount and
type of surgery needed. In lower jaw
surgery, the jawbone behind the
teeth is separated and the
tooth-bearing portion is moved
forward or backward, as needed. In
upper jaw surgery, the jaw can be
repositioned forward or backward, or
the jaw can be raised or lowered.
Certain movements may require the
jaws to be separated, with bone
added/removed to achieve the proper
alignment and stability. Other
facial bones that contribute to
alignment may also be repositioned
or augmented.
When you have completed surgery, you should be able to return to school or work within two weeks. After the necessary healing time (about 4-8 weeks), your orthodontist "fine-tunes" your bite. In most cases, braces are removed within 6 to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to maintain your beautiful new smile.