When the jaws don’t meet correctly or the teeth don’t seem to fit within the jaws, jaw surgery may be needed to properly align them and alleviate pain.
Jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, is needed when the jaws don’t align properly or when the teeth don’t seem to fit correctly in the mouth after surgery. Leaving misaligned jaws untreated can lead to an improper bite, which can lead to other problems such as TMJ disorders and pain. If you are experiencing any problems regarding your jaw, such as difficulty chewing, chronic TMJ pain, speech problems, breathing problems, or a protruding jaw, you may be a candidate for orthognathic surgery. Your oral surgeon will assess your condition and design a plan that’s right for you during your consultation.
Some of our patients have discussed their positive jaw surgery experiences at Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery. Please feel free to listen so that you can learn more about jaw surgery and discover if jaw surgery is right for you.
Jaw surgery is also referred to as orthognathic surgery and is recommended in cases where there are misalignments in the jaw or other abnormalities (caused by injury or birth defects) that cause patients to have problems with chewing, speech, oral health, and/or facial appearance. For less severe jaw issues, orthodontics alone can often correct the problem, but when jaw abnormalities or jaw injuries are more serious, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have the proper training and experience to perform surgery to make these corrections. Our oral surgeons, Drs. Roden and Alling are uniquely qualified to perform the full range of jaw surgery procedures for improved jaw function and aesthetics. We occasionally perform these surgeries for our patients in the safety and comfort of our practice in Birmingham, Alabama, but most often perform them in a hospital operating room.
The team at Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery is incredibly proud of the transformations that result from the jaw surgeries we perform. Improvements in chewing ability, speech, breathing, and facial aesthetics offer lifelong advantages for our patients. If you require corrective jaw surgery, we encourage you to request a consultation with us for an evaluation of your condition and a discussion of your treatment options, including your options for anesthesia while under our care.
If any of the following difficulties apply to you, you may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery.
If our oral surgeons recommend jaw surgery for you, you will be in excellent hands with the team at Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery, where you will be treated like family with high-quality, compassionate care. Any questions and concerns you may have will be fully addressed by your oral surgeon and our team before any treatment is planned.
Jaw surgery has the ability to provide a healthy, symmetrical, and functional jaw structure for patients, often for the very first time in their lives. Typically, the jaw surgery process is a collaboration between your oral surgeon, your dentist, and your orthodontist, with treatment time that spans over a period of several months. The process often begins and ends with braces. The surgical procedures typically are done while the braces are in place.
After surgery, a recovery time of about 2 weeks to 1 month is required while the jaw heals and up to 2 months to return to a normal diet. You will visit us periodically for your follow-up care. Before your procedure, you will be provided with detailed pre- and post-operative instructions and a prescription for any medications you will need for a smooth recovery.
If you have questions about jaw surgery or any of the other services that we offer at Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery, or if you are ready to request a consultation with Drs. Roden or Alling, our staff is happy to help. Please feel free to contact us today.
