Orthognathic Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic jaw surgery, otherwise known as corrective jaw surgery, is a surgical procedure performed to correct significant misalignments or irregularities of the jaw and facial bones that orthodontia (braces) alone cannot fix. Seeing the transformative functional and aesthetic effects of orthognathic jaw surgery is one of the main reasons Dr. Sonstegard pursued this career. Through collaboration with orthodontists, detailed assessment and planning will determine the specific surgical needs of each patient.

Who Might Need Jaw Surgery?

Only a consultation with an oral surgeon in collaboration with your orthodontist will help you determine if jaw surgery is right for you. Corrective jaw surgery may be recommended for patients who experience:

Malocclusions: Severe bite problems - such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites - that cannot be effectively corrected with orthodontic treatment alone.

Facial Asymmetry: Imbalances in the size or position of the jaws that result in facial asymmetry, affecting both appearance and function.

Problems with Jaw Growth: Abnormalities in the growth of the upper or lower jaw, leading to issues like a receding chin or a protruding jaw.

Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: Jaw misalignments can contribute to difficulties in chewing, biting, and speaking, impacting overall oral function.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: In some cases, orthognathic surgery may be recommended as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when the condition is associated with jaw and facial structure.

Benefits

One of the primary benefits to orthognathic jaw surgery is correcting the function of the jaw. By repositioning the upper and/or lower jaw, orthognathic surgery enhances overall dental alignment, ensuring proper bite function and improving oral health. The surgery can alleviate difficulties in chewing, biting, and speaking that may arise from severe misalignments. Orthognathic surgery not only addresses functional issues related to jaw misalignments, but also results in restored facial balance and improved aesthetics, which can have a transformative effect on overall well-being and quality of life.

What to Expect

Please note: This is meant to be a brief overview of the steps involved in undergoing corrective jaw surgery. Much more detail will be provided at each of your appointments, with ample opportunity to ask questions.

Consultation: During the consultation your jaw problems and treatment goals will be discussed, your medical history will be reviewed, an oral evaluation will be completed, and appropriate imaging will be taken to build an ideal treatment plan.

Preparation: In most cases, orthodontic treatment is utilized to move the teeth into a more ideal position for surgery. The surgeon and orthodontist work together to create a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.

Pre-Surgical Appointment: At this visit, comprehensive facial scans will be taken and detailed imaging will be used to create a virtual model of your teeth and facial skeleton. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times and improves your surgery's overall efficacy and accuracy. We can show you in great detail how your jaw will be improved and even give you an idea of how you'll look after surgery.

Surgery: On the day of the surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia. The surgery involves repositioning the jawbones to correct the underlying issues. This may involve cutting and repositioning the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both. In most cases, incisions are made inside your mouth to reduce noticeable scarring but sometimes small incisions are needed on the outsides of your cheeks. Sometimes you can go home the same day as your procedure, but other times you may need to spend a night in the hospital prior to going home.

Recovery: Following surgery you cannot chew for many weeks and often will have rubber bands on your braces helping guide your new bite into place. This recovery period allows the bones to heal and adapt to their new positions. Generally, we recommend taking one to three weeks off from school or work to aid in your healing.