Surgical Orthodontics 101

When Surgical Orthodontics Might be Needed?

Surgical orthodontics (aka orthognathic surgery) is often used to treat adults with abnormal bite alignment, correct malocclusion, and/or correct jawbone abnormalities. It is one of the nine recognized dental specialties and focuses on complex cases that involve the mouth, face, jaw, and skull.

When surgical orthodontics are used to treat a misaligned bite, the jaw must be finished growing. This usually occurs around the age of 16 for females and 18 for males. When the jaws are improperly aligned, and a correct bite cannot be achieved with orthodontics alone, orthognathic surgery can realign the jaw, allowing braces to move the teeth into their proper position.

Oral surgeon: the definition

An oral surgeon is a type of dentist who receives special training to handle advanced procedures. These types of procedures include dental implants, TMJ issues, wisdom teeth extraction, and cosmetic procedures. They can also treat certain things like oral cancers and broken jaws. An oral surgeon goes through the normal four years of dental school, but then also attends an extra four years of surgical residency at a hospital.

What can an oral surgeon do?

A common experience a person may have with an oral surgeon is when they get their wisdom teeth removed. However, oral surgeons do not specialize in just tooth extraction. They can also help with the following:

• Dental implants: techniques vary due to the type of implants, but oral surgeons can replace missing teeth or provide stability to new or existing dentures.
• Developmental conditions: repairing a cleft lip and palate in an infant.
• Head and neck cancer: oral cancer is included in this, and can develop when abnormal cells in the cheeks, gums, tongue, etc. grow uncontrollably.
• Facial injury and trauma: if you have a fracture in the upper or lower jaw, as well as the orbits surrounding the eyes.
• TMJ and facial pain: TMJ is temporomandibular joint pain and can cause facial pain and other symptoms.
• Facial cosmetic surgery: cosmetic procedures are becoming more common and can fix the aesthetic aspects of your face, mouth, teeth, and jaws.

Reasons to see an oral surgeon

If you think you have a dental emergency requiring tooth extraction or restructuring, you may need an oral surgeon. Here are some reasons you may visit an oral surgeon:

• Restructuring of bone and gum tissue
• Impacted (or regular) wisdom teeth surgery
• Jaw misalignment
• Bone loss
• Oral chronic diseases or conditions

What Can I Expect if I’m Going to Have an Orthognathic Surgery?

Your surgeon will usually perform your surgery in a hospital. The procedure can take several hours, and once it is completed, you will be advised to rest for about two weeks. Because this is an intensive procedure, we do recommend you plan on taking time off from work or school during the healing process.

After you have healed, you will have your bite “fine-tuned,” and will have braces fitted. You can expect to have the braces removed within 12 months of surgery. After that, you will wear a retainer to help you maintain your new smile.

The Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery

For most patients, the primary benefit of an orthognathic surgical procedure is achieving a healthy, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. This type of treatment can also correct functional abnormalities, which for some patients, allows them to speak or chew food without difficulty for the first time.

If you have a less-than-perfect smile, malocclusion, or jaw abnormality, we can help restore both your smile and your confidence. Make an appointment for an evaluation with our skilled orthodontist near Downers Grove to discuss your treatment options.