What is surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics (also known as orthognathic surgery) is surgery to correct jaw irregularities to improve the patient’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe and for improved facial appearances. In other words, orthodontics straightens your teeth, and surgical orthodontics straightens your jaw. Moving the jaws also moves the teeth, so braces are always needed to in preparation for jaw correction through orthognathic surgery. This not only helps make sure teeth are in their proper positions after surgery, but it also guides the position of the jaws during surgery.

Who needs surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics may be needed for non-growing adults with severely misaligned jaws/bites due to skeletal issues -or- patients with facial esthetic concerns that can only be corrected with surgery. All growth must be completed before jaw surgery can be performed. Jaw growth is usually completed by age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Pre-surgical orthodontics are usually planned to start one to two years prior to jaw surgery. For treatment plans involving orthognathic surgery, your orthodontist will work closely with your oral surgeon to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly and predictably to ensure the best outcome.

How does it work?

During your orthodontic treatment, which usually lasts 12-24 months, you wear braces and will visit your orthodontist for scheduled adjustments to your braces. As your teeth move with the braces, you may think that your bite is getting worse rather than better. However, when your jaws are placed into proper alignment during orthognathic surgery, the teeth will then fit into their proper positions.

Surgery is performed in the hospital with an oral surgeon, and can take several hours, depending on the amount and type of surgery needed. In lower jaw surgery, the jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion is moved forward or backward, as needed. In upper jaw surgery, the jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered. Certain movements may require the jaws to be separated, with bone added/removed to achieve the proper alignment and stability. Other facial bones that contribute to alignment may also be repositioned or augmented.

When you have completed surgery, you should be able to return to school or work within two weeks. After the necessary healing time (about 4-8 weeks), your orthodontist “fine-tunes” your bite. In most cases, braces are removed within 6 to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to maintain your beautiful new smile.