What is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a specialized form of dental treatment that combines orthodontics and jaw surgery to correct severe jaw irregularities and misalignments. This treatment is usually recommended for people who have a combination of significant skeletal jaw discrepancies and bite problems that cannot be treated with braces alone.
Orthognathic surgery can be used to correct a variety of problems, including open bites, underbites, overbites, and crossbites, as well as jaw asymmetry, facial asymmetry, and breathing difficulties caused by jaw irregularities.
How it helps
Surgical orthodontics involves a coordinated effort between an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The orthodontist prepares the teeth for the surgery by moving them into the correct position, while the surgeon repositions the jaws to create a more harmonious bite and facial profile.
The surgical procedure typically involves making incisions in the jawbones, moving them into the correct position, and securing them with plates, screws, or wires. The exact nature of the surgery depends on the specific needs of the patient.
After the surgery, the patient will typically need to wear braces for a period of time to fine-tune the bite and ensure proper alignment of the teeth. The overall treatment time can take anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on the severity of the problem and the complexity of the treatment.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of surgical orthodontics are numerous. For one, it can help to improve the patient's appearance by correcting facial asymmetry and creating a more balanced facial profile. It can also improve the patient's ability to chew, speak, and breathe properly, which can lead to improved overall health and well-being.
In addition, surgical orthodontics can help to prevent or alleviate a variety of dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ disorders. By correcting the underlying skeletal problems that cause these issues, surgical orthodontics can help to ensure long-term dental health.
Surgical Orthodontics, Queens & Brooklyn, New York
OUR TREATMENTS
Surgical orthodontics corrects severe jaw irregularities and misalignments.
