Many people think orthodontics only focuses on straightening out the teeth, and providing a brilliant smile. Of course, that’s a large part of it. But, orthodontics goes far beyond braces and teeth adjustment. At Tru North Orthodontics, our main concern is making sure our patients have the opportunity to have healthy mouths and balanced jaws. Sometimes, that requires surgical orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery.
What does that mean? In addition to having braces, some people actually need to have their jaw repositioned or realigned, in order for them to have the healthiest, most esthetic result. This process involves both an orthodontist and an oral surgeon that work closely together in these types of cases. This relationship and the quality of the surgery are imperative for a successful outcome.
Who are the candidates for this type of procedure? Well, most orthodontists will do whatever they can to avoid having to perform any kind of surgery on a patient. Orthodontic treatment shouldn’t be as invasive as many people tend to think it is, so if a solution is available without surgery, rest assured everything will be exhausted beforehand. But, if you have an improper bite, or you’re just concerned about the overall appearance of your jaw position and how it affects the way you look, surgery can be considered.
The main stipulation to surgical orthodontics is that it can only be performed when a jaw has stopped growing. Typically, no oral surgeon will perform surgery on anyone younger than 16, but that depends on each individual patient and their growth pattern.
Surgical cases work by combining orthodontics (moving teeth) and orthognathics (moving jaws). The sequence of this type of treatment in most cases involves lining up the teeth first, then having an oral surgeon reposition the jaw, followed by the orthodontist finalizing the tooth position while the jaws are in their new position.
When you come in for your consultation, we can evaluate whether jaw surgery is required and if it’s a route that you would choose. The vast majority of patients that are surgical candidates choose to treat their teeth without jaw surgery due to the various risks and costs associated with the surgery.
If you are concerned at all about the appearance of your jaws or your profile, if you think your teeth and jaws are imbalanced, or if you would like to know all of your options, come in for a consultation and our doctors will help design a plan that will allow you to achieve your goals of having that healthy, balanced smile that will last a lifetime.