Jaw Surgery
When Orthodontic Treatment Alone Isn't Enough
Severe skeletal growth discrepancies and jaw misalignment cannot always be corrected with braces or orthodontic treatment alone. When the jaw bones themselves are significantly misaligned, your dentist may recommend an orthodontic evaluation to determine if corrective jaw surgery, combined with comprehensive orthodontic care, can effectively correct your bite problems and malocclusion.
Dr. Sharaf takes a conservative approach to orthodontic treatment, always exploring non-surgical alternatives first. Early diagnosis and proper treatment timing can often minimize or eliminate the need for jaw surgery. However, when severe skeletal problems and jaw deformities exist, orthognathic surgery may be the best option to achieve optimal function and facial aesthetics.
Understanding Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)
Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, treats abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the upper jaw, lower jaw, and teeth alignment. These structural jaw problems often create significant challenges for patients, including difficulties with chewing and eating, speech problems, breathing issues and sleep apnea, TMJ disorders and jaw pain, as well as concerns about facial appearance and self-confidence.
When combined with orthodontic treatment, jaw correction surgery can dramatically improve both oral function and facial aesthetics, creating a harmonious balance between your teeth, jaws, and facial profile.
Your Orthodontic Assessment and Surgical Consultation Process
Your journey begins with a thorough orthodontic examination to determine if you're a candidate for jaw surgery. This evaluation assesses your bite alignment, jaw positioning, and overall facial structure to identify any skeletal discrepancies.
If corrective jaw surgery is recommended, we'll gladly refer you to a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in orthognathic procedures. During this consultation, your surgeon will explain the required jaw surgery procedures unique to your case, discuss the risks and benefits of orthognathic surgery, provide treatment timelines and cost information, and outline recovery expectations and post-operative care requirements for optimal healing.
The Three-Phase Orthodontic and Jaw Surgery Treatment Process
If you're a candidate for combined orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery, your comprehensive care will follow a carefully coordinated three-phase approach:
Phase 1: Pre-Surgical Orthodontic Preparation
The first phase commences with orthodontic care to align your teeth and prepare your bite for surgery. The objective during this pre-surgical orthodontic phase is to carry out as much correction to your bite and teeth alignment as possible in preparation for the surgical phase. You may be asked by your orthodontist or oral surgeon to have certain teeth removed, such as wisdom teeth, to facilitate the surgical work. Once this phase nears completion, you will visit the oral surgeon to assess your readiness for jaw surgery.
Phase 2: Orthognathic Surgery and Recovery Period
The second phase consists of the recommended jaw correction procedure. Following your orthognathic surgery, you will have approximately two weeks of initial recovery time. Since jaw surgery is a major surgical procedure, we recommend scheduling time away from work or school during the healing process to allow your body to recover fully.
Phase 3: Post-Surgical Orthodontic Treatment and Retention
The third and final phase commences once your jaw has healed. Your orthodontist will "fine-tune" your bite and strive to complete your orthodontic treatment within 6 to 12 months following your surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear custom retainers to maintain your new smile and jaw alignment.
When Jaw Surgery May Not Be Necessary — Orthodontic Alternatives
Not every bite problem or jaw misalignment requires surgical correction. After your comprehensive orthodontic examination, we'll determine whether orthodontic treatment alone can achieve your functional and aesthetic goals, eliminating the need for surgery. We'll also assess if jaw surgery is truly necessary for optimal bite correction or if alternative orthodontic approaches might be suitable for your specific case, always prioritizing the most conservative effective treatment.
Our conservative treatment philosophy means we'll always explore non-surgical orthodontic options when appropriate for correcting bite issues.
Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation for Jaw Surgery Assessment
If you have concerns about your bite alignment, jaw pain, or have been told you might benefit from orthodontics and jaw surgery, we invite you to schedule a no-obligation orthodontic consultation. No dental referral is required for your initial assessment.
Ready to learn more about jaw surgery options? Email us at info@starsortho.ca and let us help determine whether you can achieve your goals with orthodontic treatment alone or if corrective jaw surgery might be the right choice for your jaw alignment needs.