A number of factors could cause imbalance in your jaws, from complications during growth to injury. To restore balance, function, and improve the beauty of the smile, our team could provide orthognathic surgery. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral and maxillofacial surgeons talk about jaw surgery.
When Smiles Need Surgery
When there is imbalance or abnormal growth in the jaw, this could impact how your bite fits together and increase the risk of difficulties eating and even speaking clearly. You could be more susceptible to issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), which could damage smiles and cause painful symptoms. For some, the imbalance could also impact air flow during sleep, so sleep apnea is more likely to occur. This could be brought on as the smile grows, or due to an injury or tooth loss. Correcting this not only boosts the function and health of your smile, but could also correct symmetry and boost smile beauty too.
Planning Your Treatment
Every smile is unique, which is why each patient will obtain a personalized surgery. We begin with digital panoramic x-rays images, so we can see your entire smile, including the jawbone, tooth roots, and oral structures. We can use these to plan the treatment with precision and accuracy. Our team will also administer not only local anesthesia, but dental sedation too, so you enter a calm and relaxed state throughout the procedure, and have a comfortable experience.
Working with Your Orthodontist
The procedure is also a collaborative one, as we often work with general dentists and orthodontists. For some, this is part of the overall orthodontic treatment. Working together, we can prepare the smile and then treatment can continue seamlessly. Often, following orthognathic surgery, the orthodontists will need to complete the fine touches with aligners or braces, which could take between 18 and 24 months on average. When complete, this can offer stunning results for our patients, helping them feel great about their appearance, while also enjoying better oral health and bite function.
If you have any questions about our approach to jaw surgery, or if you think you may need to see our team for treatment, then contact our team today to learn more. We would love to help you enjoy your best possible smile again, and we help patis of all ages in our community.
Ready for Better Smile Symmetry?
We would like to help treat issues that could threaten your overall oral health, so you can enjoy a better smile, one that looks great and is healthy and strong. If you would like to learn more about treating uneven jaw joints with oral surgery, or about tooth replacement and other common procedures, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling 707-545-4625.
