Orthognathic Surgery
Do you struggle with TMJ or other issues related to a misaligned bite or jaw? You might not have found the relief you need with traditional approaches. But surgical procedures may offer another option for you.
Our orthodontist in Chelmsford, MA, at Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults offers orthognathic surgery to correct jaw or bite problems.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
This procedure (also called jaw surgery) corrects irregularities or other issues that affect the jaw bones, repositioning the jaw in the process. In some cases, it’s needed when traditional orthodontic treatments aren’t working — or we may recommend it in combination with braces or other appliances.
What Common Conditions Does It Treat?
Why is this surgery performed? It’s done to address certain problems with the jaw, such as:
- Bite/jaw misalignment, like an overbite or crossbite
- Functional issues, like trouble chewing
- TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorders to ease symptoms
- Obstructive sleep apnea for better airway function
What Are the Benefits of This Procedure?
Why consider having this kind of surgery? It offers several advantages that you may not get from traditional treatment alone, such as improved chewing and speaking function. This procedure can also relieve jaw soreness from TMJ or help prevent breathing pauses with sleep apnea, resulting in better sleep.
What to Expect
Having any type of surgery may seem stressful. But knowing what the process is like helps you feel more prepared for this experience. Here’s a better look at the steps involved when you consider getting orthognathic surgery in Chelmsford, MA.
Initial Evaluation and Planning
Can this procedure help treat your symptoms or condition? That’s what your initial visit is designed to address. We take images of your jaw and consider other factors to see if this is the right approach.
If so, we move onto the planning stage, scanning your jaw to plan your surgery with as much precision as possible. This helps ensure that our surgical team repositions your jaw accurately.
Surgical Procedure
The specific steps that occur vary depending on the type of jaw surgery you’re having. But the general process begins with administering anesthesia. Your surgeon then makes incisions and carefully places your jaw in a properly aligned position. You might have surgical screws or other hardware placed to keep your jaw secure.
Note that this procedure may take several hours to complete based on its complexity or whether you’re having one or both jaws repositioned.
Recovery Timeline
How long will it take for your jaw to heal after your procedure? It can take a month or more to go back to your regular lifestyle and activities. But side effects, like soreness and bruising, should only last a couple of weeks or less.
Overall, your jaw may need several months or a year to completely heal. During that time, you’ll visit us for follow-up care and treatment as needed.
Who Are Good Candidates for Orthognathic Surgery?
It’s usually not recommended for younger patients with jaws that are still developing. But this procedure is suitable for many adults and adolescents or teens whose jaws have stopped growing. Continued growth can affect surgical results.
You might not need this surgery for mild alignment issues, especially if they can be treated with braces or other traditional appliances. It’s more useful for candidates who have severe bite or jaw alignment problems or ongoing struggles with sleep apnea or TMJ symptoms.
Are There Any Risks?
Did you know that this surgery has a success rate of roughly 93.9% based on research, with patients experiencing a better quality of life and satisfaction with their results? That said, there are a few potential risks, as there are with all surgeries. These include:
- Temporary side effects afterwards, like swelling and pain
- Infection
- Damage to nerves
- Jaw position that relapses
- Bleeding
Our team takes steps to lower these risks, keeping you safe and ensuring a successful procedure!
FAQs About Orthognathic Surgery
Is it a painful procedure?
You’re not going to feel anything during it due to anesthesia. You might have a sore jaw when this wears off, though. We can recommend pain medications to take to ease these effects until they subside.
How long does recovery take?
That can vary based on your progress and other factors. It may take a couple of weeks or more to go back to your usual activities. But a total recovery may take a year or so, especially if you have a more complex procedure done.
Will you need braces before and after surgery?
Our orthodontist at Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults may recommend braces prior to your procedure to help align your teeth. But in some cases, this approach isn’t successful enough, resulting in the need for surgical correction. We might recommend braces afterwards for optimal results.
Are there any noticeable scars?
We understand you may be worried that you’ll have visible scarring with this surgery. Incisions are often done inside the mouth, though, making them inconspicuous. If you do need external incisions, we take steps to minimize the risk of scarring.
Are the results permanent?
They usually are — but that depends on factors, like whether you follow post-op care instructions and come in for follow-up visits. Proper healing helps ensure that your results last a lifetime instead of being temporary.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
Are you considering this procedure for better jaw alignment? At Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults, we offer orthognathic surgery in Chelmsford, MA, providing you with an effective way to address severe jaw issues that are affecting your quality of life.
