Surgical Orthodontics
Summerhill Orthodontist
Orthognathic surgery
Have you always wanted braces but never took the necessary steps due to fear your case is too difficult? Even as an adult, no matter how simple or complicated, you can still achieve a well-aligned and healthy smile- you deserve it!
Incorrect bites may be caused by misaligned teeth, discrepancies in the size and position of the upper and lower jaws or a combination of the two. Treatment for adults with incorrect bites due to jaw size and position may be complex and require orthodontics in conjunction with orthognathic surgery. This method of treatment is reliable and provides amazing results for our adult patients!
Orthodontic treatment w/ orthognathic surgery necessitates collaboration between an orthodontic specialist and an oral surgeon. The goal is not only to align the teeth but to also address the underlying skeletal problem. Treatment typically starts with the placement of upper and lower braces by the orthodontist. Our Summerhill orthodontist positions the teeth in a manner that facilitates proper correction of the jaw positions during surgery. Following orthognathic surgery, the orthodontist completes one final stint of treatment, which perfects the bite and smile.
Things to you should know about orthodontic treatment w/ orthognathic surgery:
- Orthognathic surgery is recommended by orthodontists when non-growing, mature, patients demonstrate an incorrect bite due to incorrect jaw size and position.
- Braces are placed first and will remain on throughout orthodontic treatment and surgery.
- Orthognathic surgery is typically recommended around the age of 16 years old for females and 18 years old for males.
- Orthognathic surgery is helpful in improving overall jaw function; opening and closing, chewing, and speech. It is also helpful in treating sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint disjunction (TMJ), and craniofacial asymmetries and trauma.
- There is a healing period following surgery. Providers typically recommend scheduling surgery around holidays, the summer, or other times when school and work obligations do not interfere with the 2 week healing period.
- Because your placement of braces and well-aligned teeth are required for orthognathic surgery, we typically recommend that our surgery patients begin their orthodontic treatment 1 to 1.5 years prior to their expected surgery date. All patients should be consulted regarding their start date, as some cases may require more time for surgery preparation.
Contact our Summerhill orthodontist at Iconic Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.
