People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery (surgical jaw alignment) include those with an improper bite, or jaws that are positioned incorrectly ore when the teeth don’t seem to fit with jaws. Jaw growth is a gradual process and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. In other patients, improper jaw alignment may result from previous injury, such as a jaw fracture. Misalignment of the jaws can cause long-term oral health, and your facial appearance, difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing, speech problems, chronic jaw or TMJ pain, sleep and breathing problems.

Examples of jaw alignment problems that are commonly managed surgically are overbite (protruding upper jaw), underbite (protruding lower jaw), cross bites, and open bite. Whereas orthodontics alone can correct bite problems when only the teeth are involved. Orthognathic surgery may be required for the jaws when repositioning of the upper jaw and/or the lower jaw is necessary for the teeth to match up. Often these procedures are done in conjunction with each other. This not only improves facial appearance, but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly.

Orthodontics alone can correct bite problems when only the teeth are involved. Orthognathic surgery may be required for the jaws when repositioning of the upper jaw and/or the lower jaw is necessary for the teeth to match up. Often these procedures are done in conjunction with each other. This not only improves facial appearance, but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly. A dentist or orthodontist may refer a patient for maxillofacial surgery if an issue in the mouth is too difficult to correct with orthodontics or basic dental procedures alone.

With corrective jaw surgery, sometimes one procedure can correct more than one problem. For example, if you undergo corrective jaw surgery to treat TMJ disorders, you could also correct obstructive sleep apnea or a facial deformity. Schedule a consultation to learn more about corrective jaw surgery if you have:

• Difficulty with chewing, biting or swallowing
• Speech problems
• Open bite
• Gummy smile
• Protruding jaw
• “Long face”
• Crooked jaw
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pain from TMJ disorders