There are several forms of teeth misalignment, such as an underbite, an overbite, a crossbite, and crowding, most of which can be remedied by an orthodontist near you with treatments like braces or Invisalign. Sometimes, however, people have deeper skeletal irregularities that are not easily treatable and require more invasive treatments. Such conditions require that you consult with your dentist to assess the need for finding a clinic providing orthognathic surgery near you.
What are the types of orthognathic surgery?
People often feel overwhelmed with the term ‘surgery’ and as a result, imagine the procedure to be far more serious than it factually is. Orthognathic surgery is not as severe of a treatment as it sounds, and many forms of this surgery can be carried out inside the office of the orthodontist. There are several forms of this dental surgery, one such type being a wisdom tooth extraction which is a fairly common procedure. It is a simple surgery to remove the molars right at the back of the mouth that have not protruded properly through the gums. It is considered a minor orthognathic surgery.
Who performs orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgeries are performed by an oral surgeon or a maxillofacial surgeon. It takes four years of dental school followed by four additional years in a residency program for an oral surgeon to be certified. As such, these surgeons are highly skilled in their profession and are the only medical practitioners apart from anesthesiologists who can administer general anesthetics or sedatives.
When is an orthognathic surgery recommended?
Although most dental misalignments can be treated by an orthodontist in Orlando through simple in-office procedures like the use of braces or Invisalign, at times it is found that it is not the teeth but the jaws that need adjustment. In such a scenario where the problem has skeletal connotations, orthognathic surgery might be recommended to bring about an alignment of the jaws.
Orthognathic surgery is beneficial in correcting chewing, sleeping, and speech difficulties due to misaligned teeth, misaligned jaws, and facial asymmetries. The conditions that require orthognathic surgery include:
- Open bite wherein the upper and lower jaws do not close leaving a considerable gap between them.
- Malocclusions such as underbite, overbite, or crossbite.
- Obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing problems.
- Repairing injuries or congenital issues such as a cleft palate.
- Treating TMJ or temporomandibular disorders and associated pains.
- Difficulties in biting, chewing, or swallowing.
- Facial asymmetry or trauma.
What are the steps involved in orthognathic surgery?
Whichever form of orthognathic surgery might be recommended for you, there are many aspects that are common to all of them.
Planning – This step involves consultations with dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons to determine the real underlying issue. With the help of 3D images, scans and advanced softwares, a careful plan is chalked out for the procedure, which may involve both orthodontic and orthognathic procedures. This helps keep the entire dental team on the same page regarding the flow of the treatment.
Procedure – Depending on what type of orthognathic surgery is required and your level of comfort with it, it will be determined if the surgery can be carried out in-office or requires a hospital for orthognathic surgery in Orlando. The type of anesthetic required can also affect this decision.
Recovery – The duration of time required to fully recover from orthognathic surgery depends upon the severity of the surgery and the state of your health post-surgery. Any pain arising can be minimized by over the counter or prescription pain medications. A liquid and soft foods diet is recommended post-surgery, to reduce stress on the jaws.
At times, this surgery might be followed up with orthodontic treatment like braces or retainers to maintain the aesthetics of the resulting mouth structure.
At All About Smiles Ortho, we have highly experienced orthognathic surgeons in Orlando who can treat all types of defects of the jaw.