Orthognathic Surgery

If the upper and lower jaws are misaligned, it can become difficult to breathe, speak, and eat properly. At Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform orthognathic surgery to correct jaw misalignment. Our offices use the latest surgical technology and techniques to deliver precise, predictable, and beneficial results, and we offer many types of anesthesia to ensure your comfort. 

Orthognathic surgery is a life-changing reconstructive procedure that will drastically improve oral function and facial aesthetics. To schedule a consultation and see if jaw surgery can improve your health, contact us in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, and Westminster, MD.

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery, is a procedure that involves surgically repositioning the jaws so that they properly align. This procedure may involve repositioning the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. Orthodontic treatment can correct teeth misalignment and bite problems, but when the jaws do not properly meet or cannot function due to developmental problems or trauma, surgical intervention is necessary. Following orthognathic surgery, patients will continue with their orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and bite with the jaws in their proper position.

Do I Need Jaw Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery, can correct a number of problems ranging from congenital defects to treating facial trauma. Typically, an orthodontist will refer a patient to an oral surgeon for jaw surgery. Surgical intervention is necessary to correct malocclusion, or an improper bite. Many patients who undergo jaw surgery do so during the teenage years when the jaws are still developing. However, jaw surgery is an option for teens and adults of any age.

Jaw surgery can treat many conditions, including:

• Cross bite—the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth
• Underbite—the lower teeth extend farther than the upper teeth
• Overbite—the top front teeth extend beyond the bottom front teeth
• Open bite—the top and bottom teeth do not come together or bite
• Cleft lip and palate—a gap in the lip and/or palate is present at birth
• Protruding, receding, or asymmetrical jawline
• TMJ disorders
• Facial trauma
• Chronic jaw pain
• Jaw tumors or cysts
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

If you’re having difficulty eating or speaking, or if you’re experiencing chronic facial pain and headaches, jaw surgery may be right for you. Contact our oral surgery practice to schedule an appointment. We will closely examine your oral health and outline all of your treatment options.

The Orthognathic Surgery Process

Before Jaw Surgery

Before jaw surgery, your orthodontist will prepare your mouth and teeth with braces. When your mouth is ready for surgery, we will take 3D scans of your head, neck, mouth, and face using our state-of-the-art imaging technology. With these detailed scans, your surgeon can view your jaws from virtually any angle and plan out every detail of the surgical procedure. Jaw surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center using general anesthesia, which will render you unconscious. As oral surgeons, we are highly trained surgical experts qualified to administer general anesthesia while monitoring the health and safety of our patients. Before your procedure, we will explain exactly what will happen and provide you with instructions to prepare you for the anesthesia experience. 

During Jaw Surgery

We will make incisions inside the mouth whenever possible to minimize visible scarring. After making the incisions, we will make cuts in the jaw bone and move them into the correct position, then use plates or screws to secure them in place. Some patients require bone grafting to improve the quantity of bone in the face or jaws, which we will place during this procedure.

After Jaw Surgery

You can expect to stay in the hospital or surgical center for several days so that your surgeon can monitor you after the procedure. We will provide you with post-operative instructions that outline diet recommendations, pain management, and many more helpful tips to ensure a smooth recovery.

The surgical sites and initial healing phase takes about 6 weeks, but it will take several months for the jaws to heal and for swelling to fully subside. After the initial healing phase, your orthodontist will continue making adjustments to your braces. The length of your orthodontic treatment time will vary depending on other orthodontic issues you need to correct.

Orthognathic Surgery in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, and Westminster, MD

Our surgeons are experienced surgical experts with significant training and knowledge in reconstructive procedures, including orthognathic surgery. You and your loved ones are in excellent hands at Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, and we look forward to providing you with the highest level of surgical care and clinical results possible. To schedule an appointment and learn about how jaw surgery can benefit your life and health, contact us in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, or Westminster, MD.