Orthognathic Surgery Placentia CA "Orthognathic surgery" may sound like a mouthful, but it is actually just how oral surgeons refer to jaw surgery. Here at Placentia Oral Surgery, we are specialists with this type of surgery which can help to alleviate a number of oral health problems, as well as improving your facial appearance. Our orthognathic surgeon can perform your corrective jaw surgery.What is Orthognathic Surgery?We use orthognathic surgery to correct a number of jaw disorders. Because orthognathic surgery can help such a multitude of conditions, it actually covers a variety of different but related procedures. Our oral surgeons might recommend orthognathic surgery to fix a recent dental trauma, repair a congenital disorder, or correct an issue with how your teeth and bones are developing. Orthognathic Surgery DescriptionOrthognathic surgery provides important, meaningful outcomes to a variety of problems. One situation it most commonly deals with is the realignment of the jaw and the face. If a patient's jaw and face are not correctly aligned there can be discomfort and pain when trying to talk or chew. The jawbone is typically responsible to keep the teeth aligned and chewing function normal. When that does not happen, patients can notice pain while chewing and difficulty enunciating their words. The goal of orthognathic surgery is to ensure the full functionality of the patient's teeth and jaw. Since these situations are difficult to predict, our professional team, many times, has to be creative in coming up with viable solutions. While the vast majority of cases this surgical procedure is performed are to correct deformities, in some situations it is done for strictly cosmetic reasons. When the teeth become misaligned and the jaw comes out of alignment it can greatly impact the outward appearance of the patient. In those cases, the patient may wish to have this surgery done to correct this. How Orthognathic Surgery Can Help YouBy undergoing orthognathic surgery, you can see huge improvements in your ability to talk, eat, and breathe. Many people receive this surgery after previously having worn braces or Invisalign and either did not see an improvement in their condition, or experienced a relapse. Other candidates may never have received orthodontic treatment, but are afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or other difficulties with chewing and biting. Orthognathic surgery can also benefit patients with congenital disorders like facial defects and asymmetries. This means that orthognathic surgery is not just a powerful tool to improve the health of your smile, but also the aesthetics. And by receiving the surgery, you can ensure the long-term health of your teeth by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. When is Orthognathic Surgery Necessary?Corrective jaw surgery may be required following reconstruction for congenital abnormalities. These can include cleft palate, other craniofacial anomalies, and injury to the jaw. The surgery helps to realign the jaw (either the upper or lower) to improve how the teeth fit together which helps with your bite, relieves temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) pain, prevents wear and tear to the teeth, addresses breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and mouth breathing, and correcting asymmetry of the face. Surgery may include moving the upper jaw forward or backward, and it may require additional cheek or chin surgery. Orthodontic (braces) treatment is typically required prior to and after orthognathic surgery. How Do I Know if Orthognathic Surgery Will Benefit Me?It is crucial you have a consultation with an expert in this area, such as one of our oral or maxillofacial surgeons. They often work together with our orthodontists to provide the most effective treatment outcomes for patients who will benefit from this treatment regime. As you would expect, the planning for this type of surgery is thorough. Scans, x-rays, and models of your jaw are made and extensive consultations between all the specialists involved in the treatment are carried out to determine the best course of treatment for your specific circumstances. The treatment is not a quick-fix option and with the orthodontic work required before and after corrective jaw surgery. It may well be several years before your treatment is deemed to be complete. How to Prepare for Orthognathic SurgeryWhen we recommend orthognathic surgery, it is as part of an overall treatment process to improve the health of your mouth and jaw. You can expect to wear orthodontics, such as braces or Invisalign, before and after the operation. Crowns, special dental caps that go over teeth to protect and preserve them, are often placed as part of the treatment. Even if we decide now that orthognathic surgery is something that can help you, you may not be a viable candidate for several years. Your patience will pay off though, as successful orthognathic surgery can dramatically upgrade your ability to talk, eat, and breathe. What to Expect During Orthognathic SurgeryOrthognathic surgery is not an outpatient operation like most dental treatments, and our oral surgeons will perform it at a hospital. You will be numbed by general anesthesia to minimize any discomfort during the operation, but we will keep you at the hospital for several days afterwards to monitor your recovery. Typically, these stays last no more than half a week, though full recovery can take several weeks. During the surgery itself, we carefully open the jaw to move the bone to the correct position. Once moved, it is then fixed to its new location with specialized wires, screws, and plates. Most of the incisions are made on the inside of the mouth. This leaves no visible scars on the face after the surgery. Call Today!While orthognathic surgery might not be the solution for every patient, the team at Placentia Oral Surgery will be happy to discuss with you the proper treatment option to best meet your needs. Thanks to our first-class team of orthognathic surgeons, orthognathic surgery can be fast, affordable, and easy. If you think we might be able to help you with a persistent jaw issue, then call (657) 216-1617 today to schedule a consultation with Placentia Oral Surgery. |
