A jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, can be performed for various reasons, such as correcting teeth alignment or improving facial features. If you are considering jaw surgery for a particular dental issue, you might have several questions or concerns about this procedure. If you haven’t been able to find authentic or sufficient information regarding jaw surgery on the internet, you have come to the right place. This blog explains everything you need to know about orthognathic surgery. So read on to find out more.
Why Do I Still Have An Overbite After I Got My Braces Removed?
Most orthodontic issues can be fixed entirely with braces or clear aligners and do not require re-treatment. However, some complex or complicated issues cannot be resolved entirely completely with orthodontic treatment. In these cases, your orthodontist may recommend jaw surgery to fix the problem completely. Sometimes, dentists go with orthognathic surgery first and then perform fine-tuning with braces or clear aligners.
How Can I Fix My Asymmetrical Jaw Without Surgery?
It may be possible to fix some minor jaw misalignment issues with orthodontic treatment. However, when there is an excessive asymmetry within the jaws, orthodontic treatment alone may not be sufficient. In these cases, the ideal option is to fix the problem by surgically correcting the position and the angulation of the jaws.
I Have An Uneven Jaw. Will Surgery Or Braces Help?
As discussed earlier, it may be possible to correct minor jaw alignment issues with braces may be possible. However, more complex problems necessitate orthognathic surgery. Therefore, your orthodontist will first perform a clinical examination to determine the underlying cause and severity of your problem. Afterwards, they will suggest whether your problem can be fixed with braces or whether it requires surgery, or both.
Will Corrective Jaw Surgery Work For Me? What Can I Do?
Corrective jaw surgery can be done to fix a variety of maxillofacial issues. For example, some patients need it to correct jaw alignment, while others need it to fix jaw fractures or dislocations. In other cases, jaw surgery may improve one’s overall appearance and facial profile. So yes, jaw corrective surgery effectively resolves various issues, provided it is done by an experienced surgeon.
What Are The Surgery Risks For Fixing An Underbite?
The risks involved in jaw corrective surgery are the same as those in any other surgical procedure, such as postoperative infection or relapse of surgical treatment. However, the maxillofacial dentist can avoid these risks with careful planning and surgical precision.
Do I Need A Double Jaw Surgery To Correct My Underbite?
Typically, a single-stage surgery is sufficient to treat most orthodontic or jaw-related issues. However, in some cases, a problem has to be fixed in two or more steps. In these cases, your dentist will schedule your surgery in multiple phases. Once each step is performed and the desired results are achieved, the next phase of the surgery is performed. This way, the ultimate goal is achieved when all the surgical steps have been completed.
What Happens After An Orthodontic Surgery?
Immediately after the surgical procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room where your vitals will be carefully monitored until the effect of the general anaesthesia has worn off. Afterwards, you will be moved to your room. In most cases, after orthognathic surgeries, the jaws are immobilised to ensure optimal healing. Therefore, you will not be able to take a solid diet from your mouth. Instead, you will remain on a liquid diet for some time. You will also be asked to visit regularly for checkups to ensure that the surgical site is recovering optimally.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery? Is It Better Than Braces?
According to the British Orthodontic Society, orthognathic surgery involves a surgical procedure to correct the relative position and alignment of the jaws. This is done to ensure that the upper and lower teeth mate with each other and there is no imbalance in the bite, which can lead to complications such as jaw joint problems, tooth sensitivity, and dental cavities.
Can An Asymmetrical Jaw Be Fixed By A Dentist?
A dentist or orthodontist can fix the correction of jaw asymmetries using braces or aligners if the problem is minor. However, more complicated issues require jaw surgery, a team effort between a dentist, an orthodontist, and an oral & maxillofacial surgeon. Together, these professionals will prepare a treatment plan to correct your bite problems and improve your overall facial aesthetics.
When Is Surgery Required Instead Of Braces?
Orthodontic treatment, whether with braces or Invisalign, is needed when there is misalignment between the upper and lower teeth, causing bite issues. On the other hand, jaw surgery is mainly required when the underlying bite problem is caused due to a misalignment between the upper and lower jaws, not the teeth. In jaw surgery, your dentist will surgically reposition the jaws so that they are correctly aligned relative to each other and restore an optimal dental bite.
Undergoing jaw surgery can be a big decision and a life-changing experience for many. That is why it is essential that you visit a highly qualified team of dentists and surgeons for this purpose. If you live in Ely in Cambridgeshire and you’re looking for an oral surgeon for jaw surgery, Ely Smiles is an excellent option. You can book a consultation appointment with us here to discuss your problem and learn more about orthognathic surgery here.
