If you have a misaligned jaw or what is known as a dental malocclusion and are ready to put an end to the pain, stiffness, and bite issues, such as asymmetry, that go along with it, it may be time to consider orthognathic surgery. Orthognathic surgery is a procedure designed to correct the misalignment of the jaw as well as any skeletal deformities present in the surrounding areas of the skull. In fact, “orthognathic” comes from the word orthognathous, which literally means “straight jawed.”
Orthognathic surgery is usually performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The surgery itself is done under general anesthesia and only lasts a few hours, but the recovery time lasts several weeks. Complete healing can take up to a year, but after that, your treatment should be complete.
Why Choose Orthognathic Surgery?
You may be wondering why you should choose orthognathic surgery over lengthier but less invasive procedures to correct oral health issues like malocclusion, temporomandibular joint disorder, and more. While there certainly are other treatment options available, orthognathic surgery offers the benefit of correcting numerous problems at once, with a much faster turnaround. Imagine waiting weeks to feel relief from your misaligned bite as opposed to other methods that could take several years to see results.
What Are the Types of Orthognathic Surgery?
There are many different types of orthognathic surgery, all designed to correct different issues. Because no two jaws are identical, no two orthognathic surgeries are the same, either. Dr. Sanovich may use one or a combination of several surgical techniques to achieve the results you want. Here are a few of the different types of orthognathic procedures you may be recommended by Dr. Sanovich and your orthodontist:
Mandible Osteotomy: Mandible osteotomy is a procedure that is used to push the mandible (the bottom jawbone) backward to correct a receded mandible.
Rapid Palatal Expansion Osteotomy: This surgery is used to correct a constricted maxilla and expand the palate.
Sagittal Split Osteotomy: This surgery can correct both over and underbites.
Maxilla Osteotomy: This surgery is designed to correct deformities to the upper jaw or an open bite.
Genioplasty Osteotomy: This surgery is designed to move the chin forward or backward to an optimal position.
If you are considering orthognathic surgery and would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanovich, please call (972) 914-3660