It’s common to take steps to help teens and young adults develop a healthy and even smile through orthodontics. Braces and dental aligners are almost a rite of passage in some circles. There are times, however, when your child’s physiology requires more than simply alignment. In some cases, teeth are strategically removed to make room.

Other times, corrective jaw surgery becomes necessary, when orthodontic techniques alone aren’t enough to bring your child’s mouth into balance. Jaw surgery is typically scheduled after full physical maturity is reached.

Reasons for corrective jaw surgery

Jaw surgery can be necessary for a wide range of conditions, correctively or pre-emptively. Surgery may be recommended to help with:

• Biting and chewing mechanics and fit

• Excessive wear on teeth

• Speech or swallowing difficulties

• Jaw closure issues

• Relieving pain associated with temporomandibular joint disorders

• The ability to fully close the lips

• Injury or birth defect repairs

• Obstructive sleep apnea

Types of jaw surgery

Corrective jaw surgery isn’t a single procedure, but rather a collection of techniques that may be performed on the chin, upper jaw, or lower jaw, either separately or in combination. The surgical procedures are then adapted to the individual. Surgeries may be conservative or aggressive, based on the needs of the patient.

Maxillary osteotomy (upper jaw)

Procedures on the upper jaw typically address problems such as:

• Protruding or receding jaw

• Open bite, where molars touch but front teeth do not

• Crossbite

• Too little or too much of the teeth show during a smile

• Facial growth issues in the mid-face region

Mandibular osteotomy (lower jaw)

Surgery for the lower jaw typically addresses receding or protruding jaw issues. Both upper and lower jaw procedures involve separating bone beyond your teeth, allowing the jaw to move as a unit, then moved to its new position and fastened with screws and plates during healing.

Genioplasty (chin)

Surgery on the chin is usually performed to augment a receding chin. A piece of the chin bone is typically cut and positioned forward, then fastened in place with screws and plates.

What to expect from jaw surgery

Because of the cutting and fastening of bone, jaw surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic in a hospital, and your stay is typically two to four days.

Surgical incisions are generally made inside your mouth, so scars are typically hidden, but in some cases, there may be external cuts required. Screws and plates used to secure bone in place usually remain there permanently, integrating with your bone tissue. If extra bone is needed to augment your jaw, this is typically taken from a rib, hip, or leg.

After surgery, you can expect recovery to take between six weeks to three months, depending on the extent of the surgery. Your doctor from Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada provides you with appropriate instructions to aid your recovery, such as foods you can eat, how to care for your teeth as you recover, and what activities you can return to during the stages of recovery.

Best results from surgery come from the most experienced practitioners, so choosing a surgeon from Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada is a smart move. Call the most convenient office or request an appointment online to schedule your initial consultation.