Unless you’ve had trouble chewing, talking or laughing, you may not have noticed any issues at all with your jaw. Like many aspects of your health, you may not consider getting your jaw checked until something is clearly wrong. However, you may be struggling with a misaligned jaw that could require corrective jaw surgery without even knowing it.
What Happens During Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Orthognathic jaw surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is a procedure that re-aligns the jaw to correct minor or major skeletal abnormalities that may result from circumstances ranging from birth defects to sports injuries. Once your surgeon determines you require corrective jaw surgery to improve your quality of life, they will detail the exact procedure you will undergo, which may vary depending on your current jaw alignment. Usually, patients are required to wear braces for six to 18 months before receiving surgery to align the teeth properly.
Often, corrective jaw surgery involves removing small portions of the lower or upper jaw bone to appropriately set and cement the jaw in place. Your unique bite problem or other developmental bone issues will dictate which corrective jaw surgery option is best for you.
Following corrective jaw surgery, your surgical team will assess your condition to estimate your recovery time and develop a follow-up plan for you.
Why Might I Need Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery can be a potential treatment for many disorders, misalignments and conditions. As with many surgeries, your orthodontist will exhaust all other non-invasive treatment options before recommending corrective jaw surgery. Some potential treatments for misaligned jaws may include:
- Braces
- Aligners
- CPAP device
- And more
If, however, these treatment plans prove ineffective, surgery may be suggested to correct the jawbone’s development and alignment, such as:
- Open bite
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Injuries
- Birth defects
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
- Sleep Apnea
- Unbalanced appearance
- And more
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Services in Louisville, KY
Your jaw plays a major role in the functionality and appearance of your mouth. If you notice you struggle to complete everyday activities such as chewing, shouting or smiling, it may be time to talk to your orthodontist about jaw realignment treatments, including jaw corrective surgery. At Greater Louisville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, patients will receive personalized, dedicated care from all members of the office staff. From the moment you enter our office, we’ll provide you will the kindness and compassion you deserve and the professionalism you expect of a licensed, knowledgeable oral surgeon. Contact us online or call 502-459-8012 to schedule your consultation today!
Greater Louisville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.S.C. 