A few months ago, you may have read here about how surgical orthodontics can fix certain jaw problems. Today, the focus is going to be on when surgical orthodontics in Southlake, Texas, is most beneficial. While many people have jaw problems that can be fixed without surgery, there are some people who make wonderful candidates for surgical orthodontics. These patients meet certain criteria that are necessary for this type of surgery (jaw surgery is also referred to as “orthognathic” surgery).
More Conservative Treatment First
Your dentist will want to discuss conservative treatment plans that may work for you prior to discussing orthodontic surgery. For instance, if you can benefit from traditional metal braces or Invisalign® clear aligners, then surgery may not be indicated. If your jaw and teeth problems cannot be corrected with conservative orthodontics, then you will likely need a combination of surgical orthodontics and traditional orthodontics, like the previously mentioned braces and Invisalign® clear aligners.
Combination of Orthodontics and Surgery
Surgery, in combination with traditional orthodontic treatment, is hugely successful in achieving a healthy, functional bite that looks great, too. Orthognathic surgery is corrective jaw surgery that fixes skeletal problems that affect the ability to speak, chew, and bite. For most patients who need surgical orthodontics, traditional orthodontic treatment (braces) is utilized before and after orthognathic surgery so that the upper and lower teeth meet appropriately, allowing you to bite, speak, and chew more effectively and effortlessly.
Who Needs Surgical Orthodontics?
To answer the question, “When would I get surgical orthodontics,” it’s best to look at some situations that may warrant Southlake orthodontic surgery. Very importantly, surgical orthodontics is reserved for adults who have stopped growing, so a child or teenager would never be a good candidate for surgical orthodontics. Severe jaw misalignment that may best be fixed with surgical orthodontics is often due to:
- Genetics
- Injury
- Birth defects
- Environmental causes
Car accident victims often undergo surgical orthodontics to restore jaw and tooth function. The high impact to the face and head found in car accidents often requires immediate orthognathic surgery.
Surgical orthodontics in Southlake is also used to treat or correct the following issues:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD)
- Chronic headaches due to TMJ
- Problems with chewing food
- Open bite (the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed)
- Protruding jaw
- Receding jaw
- Asymmetrical face
- Sleep apnea
- Mouth breathing
You Are Not Alone
It’s estimated that over one million people in the United States, alone, need some type of surgical orthodontics to correct a serious problem. While any surgery comes with risks, please know that surgical orthodontics when performed by an oral-maxillofacial surgeon working with an orthodontist is very effective in correcting serious problems of the jaw and mouth.
Your Southlake surgical orthodontics team will go over your treatment plan and explain to you what will be done both prior to and after your orthognathic surgery. A comprehensive evaluation will give the surgeon and orthodontist a clear picture of what needs to be fixed in your face, jaw, teeth, and mouth.
Benefits of Surgical Orthodontics
In addition to the wonderful new facial appearance that results from Southlake surgical orthodontics, you’ll enjoy a number of other benefits should you need jaw surgery:
- Pain relief: A misaligned jaw can cause painful muscle strain, jaw pain, and headaches. When your jaw and teeth are properly aligned, that muscle tension and pain are relieved.
- Easier chewing: When the jaw and teeth are aligned, chewing is simply easier. With surgical orthodontics, you’ll be able to enjoy all the foods you’ve avoided due to jaw problems. Better chewing means better digestion.
- Improved speech: With a properly aligned jaw and teeth, your speech will become clearer and effortless.
- Renewed confidence: With all of the improvements orthognathic surgery provides, your confidence will skyrocket, and you’ll enjoy life so much more.
If you’ve been avoiding social situations and other aspects of life that require interacting with others, it’s time to learn more about Southlake, Texas, surgical orthodontics.
Learn More About Surgical Orthodontics Today
If you live in Southlake, Texas, or a surrounding community, the oral surgeons and restorative dentists at Star Image Dental Boutique & Oral Surgery stand ready to evaluate your current situation and suggest a treatment plan utilizing all the wonders of traditional orthodontics and surgical orthodontics. Please call our office (817) 587-4566 or fill out our online contact form. One of our dental team members will reach out to answer questions or schedule an orthodontic consultation.
