Surgical Orthodontics
Smith Orthodontics provides surgical orthodontic services in Beavercreek, OH. Call 937-431-0947 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Surgical orthodontics is a treatment provided in conjunction with an oral surgeon. Orthognathic surgery is performed to correct misalignments and other abnormalities in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, while our team supplements this surgical procedure with braces or other orthodontic treatments.
Whenever surgical orthodontics is needed, we collaborate closely with your oral surgeon to develop a cohesive treatment plan. The combined surgery and orthodontic treatment not only improves facial aesthetics when the jaw is not aligned or shaped properly, but it can also correct issues with speech, breathing, and chewing. Although the process is lengthy, when all is said and done it can produce a dramatic improvement in a patient’s overall quality of life.
Orthognathic correction occurs in stages; treatment can last as little as a few months or take a year or more, depending on your needs. The surgical treatment may involve an osteotomy (bone cutting), bone grafts, or distraction osteogenesis (stretching of the bone). Sometimes, the jawbones must be repositioned to correct orthodontic issues—when this is required, inconspicuous incisions are made inside the mouth and outside the mouth if necessary to allow surgical plates, screws, wires, and rubber bands to support your upper and lower jaws in their new positions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Orthodontics
Who needs surgical orthodontic treatment?
Usually, issues with the jaw can be corrected with braces and other traditional means of orthodontic treatment. When jaw misalignment is too severe to be treated with orthodontics, surgery is needed. This misalignment is often caused by facial trauma or congenital birth defects.
Can you have Invisalign before jaw surgery?
Invisalign is not recommended for patients who need orthognathic surgery. Instead, traditional wire-and-bracket braces are needed in order to achieve the desired results.
Why do you need braces before jaw surgery?
Some patients need braces both before and after jaw surgery. If braces are used before jaw surgery, it helps us determine if the misalignment is being caused by your teeth or by your jaws—straightening your teeth first allows us to get a better idea of the situation we’re dealing with prior to surgery.
Is jaw surgery risky?
No surgery is without risks, but when performed by a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon based on a treatment plan developed with a skilled surgical orthodontist like Dr. Smith, the surgery is safe and has a high rate of success.
Does jaw surgery leave scars?
Typically incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are no visible scars. On the rare occasion that incisions need to be made outside of the mouth, your oral surgeon will take care to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
Is jaw surgery really necessary?
Jaw surgery is an elective procedure, so in that sense, it’s not necessary. That said, if you need jaw surgery and choose not to get it, you can expect that your jaw issues will worsen with time. Your teeth may wear down irregularly, you may suffer headaches and jaw pain, and you may develop chronic pain in the form of temporomandibular joint disorder. We never make the recommendation for jaw surgery lightly—if it’s suggested to you, you will benefit from it.
Call 937-431-0947 to schedule your appointment.