What Does Orthognathic Surgery Fix?

Orthognathic surgery is also known as jaw surgery, performed to correct irregularities in the jawbone. It realigns the teeth and jaws, enhancing how they work. These corrections on your jaw can also positively impact your facial appearance. 

Orthognathic surgery is a corrective choice when you have severe jaw problems. Usually, the doctors will try orthodontic approaches before turning to orthognathic surgery. The doctor will often prescribe braces before you undergo surgery and after. You will most likely be on braces until the complete realignment of your jaw. 

The orthodontist works with the maxillofacial surgeon to develop a treatment plan.

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is a series of surgeries and treatments meant to align your jaw. They will include orthodontic treatments to prepare your jaw for the surgery. Likewise, you will need orthodontic treatments after the surgery to help with recovery. Usually, the orthodontic treatments last up to a year after the surgery. The orthognathic treatment can take between two and three years.

Reasons for Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery helps to:

• Improve the dynamics of chewing.
• Reduce intense breakdown and wearing down of teeth.
• Correct facial asymmetries such as underbites, crossbites, overbites, and small chins.
• Pain relief from TMJ disorder and other problems with the jaw.
• Offer relief for obstructive sleep apnea.
• Correct issues with speech and swallowing.
• Proper jaw closure or bite fit issues like an open bite.
• Enhances the ability of the lips to close fully comfortably.
• Repair congenital disabilities like cleft lip or facial injury.

Risks of Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is relatively safe when done by an orthodontist in collaboration with a maxillofacial surgeon. There are, however, several risks to the surgery. They are:

• Infection.
• Loss of blood.
• The fracturing of the jaw.
• Nerve injury.
• Problems with jaw joint pain or bite fit.
• Relapsing of the jawbone to the original position.
• Need for some teeth to have root canal therapy.
• Need for more surgery.
• Loss of part of the jaw.

After the surgery, you may experience inflammation and pain in the jaw area. You may have problems consuming food; you can address that through consultation with a dietitian or taking nutritional supplements. You may also need time to adjust to the new appearance of your face.

What to Consider Before Orthognathic Surgery

It would be best to be clear on what the surgery can accomplish for you. You might have an image of what your face will look like after the surgery. It would be a good thing to communicate this to the surgeon beforehand. 

Jaw problems are different for everyone needing orthognathic surgery. Your doctor will recommend what is necessary for your specific needs and what you should expect. The surgeons will also consider your personal goals for the treatment. 

What Should I Do to Prepare for Orthognathic Surgery?

Usually, your doctor will recommend liquefied foods. This is so that you do not apply pressure on the healing jaw. It would be best to stock up on fruits and vegetables you can blend, soups, and nutritional drinks.

You will also receive general anesthesia before the surgery. It would be advisable to ask your doctor what you can do to prepare for it.

For more on what orthognathic surgery fixes, call Oral Surgical Associates at (406) 282-8768 to book an appointment at one of our offices in Missoula or Hamilton, Montana.