3 Reasons to Have Corrective Jaw Surgery

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Jaw surgery can be a frightening prospect for patients, but it’s often not as big an ordeal as they initially envision. The procedure, which may also be called orthognathic surgery, can often be performed in an outpatient setting. Many patients are able to resume most of their normal activities in a matter of days, although some may face slightly longer recovery periods depending on the specific nature of the surgery. Here are three main reasons that an oral surgeon may recommend jaw surgery: To eliminate pain and other symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: A misaligned jaw does not move properly, which puts strain on the muscles and tendons surrounding the jaw. Structural defects associated with TMJ disorders also can contribute to discomfort. Surgical procedures that address these problems can give patients relief from the symptoms of TMJ disorders. To improve the smile’s aesthetics: Malocclusions such as underbites, overbites or…

What kinds of problems can arise from having a misaligned jaw?

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A patient’s jaws can be misaligned in any number of ways, including overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. When such a malocclusion (“bad bite”) is present, the patient can experience a number of problems. Misaligned jaws often contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which can be associated with significant discomfort for the patient. Any time the jaw doesn’t function properly – as is the case when the upper and lower jaws don’t meet correctly – the surrounding muscles will compensate and become stressed, which can cause pain. Other TMJ symptoms include clicking, popping or locking of the jaw as well as facial or ear pain. Misaligned jaws may also be less effective at chewing, so you may be missing out on important nutrition if you’re not processing your food completely even if you eat a healthy diet. There may also be some sort of relationship between malocclusion and bruxism, or…

April is “Facial Protection Month.”

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facial trauma firstaid
Click on the image above to print.

In cooperation with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), we want to promote awareness in dealing with emergency facial trauma with these pocket sized, printable, first aid cards.

From the AAOMS:

“AAOMS wants to give you a leg up on head, neck and face injuries.

Prevention is the best policy, but accidents do happen. Knowing what to do in the moments immediately after an injury to the head, neck or face can make all the difference in the healing process. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons offers this handy, tip-filled, wallet-sized first aid card to help you take the right steps at an unfortunate time.”

Steps to Prevent Facial Injuries

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Facial injuries can wreak havoc on a patient’s oral health and function. These types of injuries can also devastate self-esteem. The most common causes of facial injuries and traumas include car accidents, sports accidents, and work-related injuries. Fortunately, our oral surgeons provide excellent care to those afflicted with facial injuries and offer custom treatment plans that restore oral function and appearance as best as possible. The Extent of Facial Trauma Injuries that affect the mouth and face can have far-reaching effects. Patients may lose teeth, fracture facial bones, or develop soft tissue and nerve damage. Depending on the nature and cause of the injury, treatment options for repairing injuries to the face and mouth can vary. Certain types of injuries may require jaw surgery, wound treatment, and bone stabilization. In some cases, our oral surgeons will work with other medical professionals including your family dentist or an orthodontist. When treating…

How long does it take to recover from jaw surgery?

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Patients may need jaw surgery for any number of reasons, such as correcting a malocclusion that causes discomfort or to address a congenital defect and improve the smile’s appearance. Such procedures can be complicated and involved. Because jaw surgery can be extensive, patients often express concern that they will experience significant disruptions to their daily routine as they recover from the procedure. In reality, the recovery time associated with jaw surgery will vary from patient to patient, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the specific problem that is being corrected. As a part of planning for your jaw surgery, your oral surgeon should explain the mechanics of the procedure that is being performed and what that may mean for your recovery. Some patients who undergo more minor surgeries may be able to return to a normal routine within a week or two of jaw surgery, if healing progresses…

What is Orthognathic Surgery?

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The smile is made up of components other than teeth. An attractive smile requires aligned teeth, proportional gums and jaws that fit together properly. Misaligned jaws are not only unattractive, but they can also compromise the joint’s ability to chew and cause discomfort for patients. Patients with various types of malocclusions can benefit from jaw surgery known as orthognathic surgery. This category of procedures repositions the upper and/or lower jaws and may also involve the chin. The goal of orthognathic surgery is to improve the way the jaws fit together. This type of surgery may be recommended in cases of TMJ disorders or sleep apnea that has not responded to more conservative interventions. Orthognathic surgery may involve collaboration between an oral surgeon and orthodontist. The orthodontist will begin to bring the teeth into the proper positions, and the surgeon will step in at some point during that process to work…

Will Jaw Surgery Correct My Open Bite?

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Millions of patients each year turn to oral surgery to correct disorders of the chin, jaw, and jaw joint. For many patients, the treatment is part of a joint effort between the oral surgeon, the orthodontist, and the general dentist. An open bite, a condition in which the teeth fail to come together even when the jaw is completely closed, is often corrected with jaw surgery. In some mild cases, an open bite can be corrected with orthodontics, or braces, alone. For more advanced cases, it is necessary to reposition the upper or lower jaw to resolve the issue. An oral surgeon is a dentist who has received specialized training in surgical procedures related to the health of the head, neck, and face. This training includes a particular focus on anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and pharmacology. The additional education and experience in these areas prepares oral surgeons to care for you…

When Is Jaw Surgery Recommended?

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Patients may need to undergo jaw surgery for any number of reasons. For example, such procedures may correct congenital problems or repair the joint following an injury or trauma. Jaw surgery can help to alleviate a variety of symptoms, from pain and discomfort to difficulty chewing to sleep apnea. Some people choose jaw surgery for primarily cosmetic factors, too, in order to eliminate an unattractive problem with the bite or to bring the chin into proper proportion with the rest of the face.  If you have signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, your general dentist may recommend a consultation with an oral surgeon. Similarly, an orthodontist may recommend surgery for a patient whose case cannot be resolved through braces alone. Prior to undergoing any surgical procedures on your jaw, you and oral surgeon will meet a number of times to plan the surgery. Your surgeon will explore your treatment…