What Does Corrective Jaw Surgery Correct?

Dentist Blog

Sometimes, having the teeth repositioned is not enough to cause the proper alignment of the jaws and teeth. In such cases, corrective jaw surgery may be needed. Still, many people are unfamiliar with corrective jaw surgery. Here are some details about the procedure and what it corrects:

What Does Corrective Jaw Surgery Address?

Corrective jaw surgery can help alleviate many of the challenges associated with misaligned jaws, such as difficulties speaking, chewing and even breathing. In addition, the appearance of the jaw and facial structure may be dramatically improved. 

How Do You Know That You need corrective Jaw Surgery?

You may realize that your jaws do not properly align. However, there are other indications that you may benefit from corrective jaw surgery. Here are a few of them:

  • Chewing problems. When the upper and lower palates do not line up correctly, biting and chewing food can be difficult.
  • Problems swallowing. Swallowing can be hampered by the improper positioning of the lower jaw.
  • TMJ. Temporomandibular joint pain can be caused by the less-than-optimal positioning of the jaws.
  • Headaches. Chronic headaches can ensue from jaw discomfort.
  • Erosion of the teeth. If the pressure of the upper palate is supported by only a few teeth, there may be additional wear on the bottom and top teeth that meet when the mouth is closed.
  • Open bite. An open bite occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not fully meet when the mouth is in a closed position.
  • Facial imbalance. The side profile or front of the face may seem unbalanced due to improper jaw alignment.
  • Severe underbite. The lower jaw may protrude forward in a manner that can not be corrected by braces alone.
  • Sleep apnea. Some people may suffer from sleep apnea because of the positioning of the jaws.

Your dentist or orthodontist will assess the state and position of your jaws to determine whether or not corrective jaw surgery is the best option. Even if surgery is performed, an orthodontic treatment may be needed before and after the surgical procedure. 

How Long Does the Jaw Correction Take?

Since the corrective jaw surgery may be paired with other treatments, patients should not expect the alignment of the jaws and teeth to be corrected overnight. In many cases, the entire treatment may take over a year to complete.

For more information about corrective jaw surgery, schedule a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist in your local area.

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25 October 2017

About Me

Getting Your Toddler to the Dentist Once and For All

Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!