Othognathic, also known as reconstructive jaw surgery, is the procedure that corrects problems with the position and form of the upper and lower jaw bones. There are many instances in which jaw surgery may be necessary to improve a number of vital functions: speaking, eating, chewing, and breathing. Rarely is jaw surgery ever undergone for cosmetic reasons.
When Jaw Surgery is Necessary
A variety of different factors can cause jaws to become misaligned. In some instances the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates, other times it can be a birth defect or attributed to an injury.
If orthodontic treatment has proven ineffective, jaw surgery may become vital if you have any of the following:
- Open, under, or overbite
- Chronic jaw or jaw joint pain coupled with headaches or TMJ
- Birth defects
- Facial injury
- Inability to make lips touch without strain
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing food
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic dry mouth
- Excessive tooth wear
- Protruding jaw
- Receding chin
Undergoing Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery isn’t attempted until mid to late teens until growth has stopped. Jaw surgery takes place almost entirely within the mouth on either the upper or lower jaw, or both, which means no noticeable scars will be left on your face or neck. During the procedure, screws and bone plates are used to move the jaw into the new position (and keep it there).
At home recovery can take up to 3-6 weeks, but the entire process can take as long as 24 months, especially if pre- or post-surgery braces are required. Contact Davis Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center in Raleigh, NC to determine if you have one or more condition that requires jaw surgery.