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Surgical Orthodontics Treatment

Surgical Orthodontics: Combining Orthodontics and Jaw Surgery for Optimal Results

Surgical orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery, is a specialized treatment approach used to correct jaw irregularities that cannot be resolved by braces or aligners alone. This treatment improves the alignment of both the jaws and teeth, enhancing facial harmony, bite function, and overall oral health. It is typically used for adult patients or older teens once jaw growth has completed.

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Why surgical orthodontics?

Some bite issues—such as severe underbite, overbite, crossbite, or open bite—are caused not only by misaligned teeth but also by the misalignment of the jaw bones themselves. When this occurs, orthodontic treatment alone isn’t enough to fully correct the problem. Surgical orthodontics allows us to reposition the jaws to their proper location while aligning the teeth for a functional and stable bite.

The Role of Dental Decompensation Before Surgery

Before orthognathic surgery, one of the most critical steps is dental decompensation. In many patients with jaw discrepancies, the teeth have naturally compensated over time to help achieve a functional bite—even if the jaws are misaligned. For example, in a patient with a skeletal underbite, the upper teeth may have tilted forward and the lower teeth may have tilted backward in an attempt to mask the underlying jaw problem.

During pre-surgical orthodontics, we intentionally reverse these compensations by moving the teeth back to their ideal positions within each jaw—even if that temporarily worsens the bite. This process is necessary to reveal the true severity of the jaw misalignment, allowing the oral surgeon to perform a precise and effective surgical correction.

Although this phase may feel counterintuitive to patients, it’s a crucial step to ensure that after surgery, the jaws and teeth align naturally and harmoniously.

The Surgical Treatment Process

  1. Pre-surgical Orthodontics: Braces or aligners are used to align the teeth properly within each jaw and perform decompensation. This typically lasts 12–18 months.
  2. Orthognathic Surgery: Once the teeth are properly positioned, the oral surgeon repositions the jaw bones under general anesthesia to correct the skeletal alignment.
  3. Post-surgical Orthodontics: After healing, orthodontic treatment continues to refine the bite and ensure long-term stability.

Orthodontic Treatment of Impacted Canines

Impacted Canines occur when the canine teeth Fail To Emerge properly due to factors like Lack Of Space, Abnormal Eruption Patterns, or trauma. This can cause bite issues, misalignment, and aesthetic concerns. Diagnosing impacted canines typically involves advanced imaging techniques, such as 3D CBCT scans, which help assess the position of the tooth and create a personalized treatment plan. Early detection is crucial for the best outcomes.

Treatment for impacted canines generally starts with Orthodontic Care, which may involve creating space in the dental arch, aligning surrounding teeth, and using braces or aligners to gradually Guide The Impacted Tooth Into Place. In cases where the tooth is deeply impacted, Surgical Intervention may be necessary to expose the canine, followed by the placement of an orthodontic bracket to move it into the correct position. This combined approach ensures functional and aesthetic improvements, restoring proper bite and smile alignment.

Life-Changing Benefits

The result of surgical orthodontics is more than just a beautiful smile—it’s a functional, comfortable, and balanced bite. Patients often report improvements in chewing, speaking, breathing (especially in cases involving sleep apnea), and self-confidence. With modern digital planning and 3D imaging, surgical outcomes are more predictable and precise than ever.

Personalized Care from Start to Finish

We work closely with experienced oral surgeons to coordinate every step of your treatment journey. If you’ve been told that your bite cannot be fixed with orthodontics alone, or if you’ve experienced chronic jaw pain, asymmetry, or difficulty chewing, surgical orthodontics may be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Why evaluate at an early age?

Early diagnosis and treatment offer several advantages for your child’s dental development:

  • Guides Teeth Positioning: Helps erupting teeth move into the correct position.
  • Preserves Space: Maintains room for permanent teeth to grow in.
  • Protects Protruding Teeth: Reduces the risk of injury to prominent front teeth.
  • Encourages Proper Jaw Growth: Guides jaw development and permanent tooth alignment.
  • Corrects Habits: This can help address thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing, which may impact jaw growth and tooth positioning.
  • Prevents Complex Issues: Conditions such as severe crossbites or crowding are often easier to address while a child is still growing, reducing the need for more complex treatments later.

Types of Orthodontic Surgery Offered

Common Early Treatment Issues

Some orthodontic conditions, such as common bite problems, require intervention before adolescence to prevent long-term complications. These may include:

  • Severe Crossbite: When upper teeth close inside the lower teeth, a palatal expander may be recommended to widen the upper jaw gradually.
  • Severe Crowding: If the jaws are too small to accommodate permanent teeth, palatal expansion or selective tooth removal can help guide proper eruption.
  • Underbite: A significant lower jaw overgrowth can cause bite issues, often requiring early orthodontic appliances to guide development.
  • Open Bite: Thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting can create spacing between upper and lower teeth, affecting speech and bite function.
  • Mouth Breathing: Chronic mouth breathing can impact facial growth and jaw alignment, sometimes requiring early orthodontic intervention.

Benefits of Orthodontic Surgery

Improved Oral Health

Orthodontic surgery does more than just straighten teeth and fix bite issues; it also prevents many other dental problems. By tackling misalignments and structural concerns right at their root, patients can look forward to enjoying the benefits of lasting oral hygiene.

Enhanced Appearance and Confidence

Through various orthodontic surgery procedures, patients enjoy the best version of their smiles, significantly boosting our patients’ self-esteem.

Every successful treatment aligns teeth and reshapes lives by enhancing overall appearance. This improvement remains crucial in improving social interactions and professional opportunities.

Correcting Bite and Alignment Issues

Misaligned teeth or an improper bite can lead to a range of health problems, from difficulty chewing to chronic jaw pain.

By correcting misaligned teeth and jaw abnormalities, orthodontic surgeries improve the functionality of your mouth and prevent future dental problems that could arise from untreated alignment issues.

Preventing Future Dental Problems

Understanding that orthodontic surgery is much more than just smile improvement is key; it plays a crucial role in preventing future dental problems. By tackling bite and alignment problems, the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain significantly decreases for patients.

Additional Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic care goes beyond a beautiful smile. It also:

  • Improves bite function.
  • Makes it easier to clean teeth and gums.
  • Helps prevent premature tooth wear.
  • Supports long-term dental health and tooth longevity.

A Personalized Approach to Every Smile

Not every child needs early treatment, and that’s why an early orthodontic evaluation is so important. At our practice, we take a conservative, evidence-based approach—recommending early treatment only when it offers a clear advantage for your child’s oral health and development. If no treatment is needed, we’ll continue to monitor your child’s growth and guide you on the best timing for future care.

Get the Perfect Smile with Comprehensive Family Orthodontics & Oral Surgery

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We specialize in transforming smiles and improving lives through various orthodontic surgeries.

Imagine the confidence a new smile could bring you! Ready to start your journey to a healthier smile? Contact us today at PHD Orthodontics!

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