Surgical Orthodontics | Queen, Brooklyn, NY

What is surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery, constitute a unique branch of dental exercise that simultaneously considers the orthodontic and surgical correction of severely afflicted irregularities and misalignments of the jaws. This kind of treatment is usually indicated for patients with a combination of notable skeletal jaw discrepancies and bite troubles that cannot be treated using braces alone.

A wide variety of problems are addressed by orthognathic surgery: open bites, underbites, overbites, crossbites, jaw asymmetries, some facial asymmetric problems, and breathing problems with some jaw irregularities.

How it helps

It is a harmonious combination of surgical orthodontics that comprise an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The orthodontist takes care of the teeth being moved into the right position before surgery, while the surgeon repositions the jaws to create a more harmonious bite and facial profile.

Surgery requires incisions made in the jawbones, moving them into the correct position, and holding them with plates, screws, or wires; the nature and extent of the surgery vary from patient to patient.

Braces are usually needed for adjustment of the bite and alignment of the teeth after surgery, which prompts the patient's overall treatment time to range from several months to a few years, depending on the condition's severity and the complexity of treatment.