05 Mar What issues can jaw surgery correct?
Jaw surgery can be a useful treatment in a variety of patient cases that affect various aspects of a patient’s life. Although jaw surgery is not as common of a reason to visit an oral surgeon as wisdom tooth extraction may be, this intervention still can benefit many patients.
The idea of jaw surgery can seem somewhat intimidating at first, but your oral surgeon will keep you thoroughly informed about every aspect of the treatment process, from pre-operative preparation to post-operative care.
Patient Scenarios in Which Jaw Surgery Can Be Helpful
There are a number of situations in which jaw surgery can be either the primary intervention or a component of treatment coordinated with multiple specialists. You may be advised to consider jaw surgery to address:
- Malocclusions (overbites, underbites, open bites and cross bites) that cannot be addressed by orthodontic treatment alone
- Congenital jaw defects and deficits
- Damage caused by facial trauma
- Obstructive sleep apnea caused by structural issues with the jaw
Jaw surgery can improve your jaw’s function and your smile’s appearance and reduce abnormal wear and tear on the teeth that is caused by a malocclusion. It can also positively affect your speech or reduce pain from a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Jaw Surgery: What to Expect
Patients may have some initial qualms about jaw surgery, but they are reassured after they are fully informed about what to expect. Jaw surgery involves both local anesthetic and sedation for maximum patient comfort. During your visit with our team, we will give you guidance about how to prepare for your jaw surgery and take care of yourself afterward, as well.
If you have one of the conditions listed above that may benefit from jaw surgery or if you’d been advised to consult with a specialist about this type of procedure, call Commonwealth Oral & Facial Surgery to schedule an initial evaluation to learn more about the process and how it can help you.