When your upper and lower jaws are misaligned, it can cause a host of issues for your oral health. Jaw misalignment often results in difficulty eating, speaking, breathing, and a lack of self-confidence. Corrective jaw surgery, also referred to as orthognathic surgery, can dramatically transform the position of your jaws. Jaw surgery is designed to correct your jaw alignment, which consequently results in improved function and facial aesthetics.
In mild cases of jaw misalignment or TMJ disorders, nonsurgical treatments such as braces and mouth guards can sometimes correct the problem. More severe jaw dysfunction typically requires corrective jaw surgery to provide dramatic improvement. You can learn more about the transformative process of jaw surgery by attending a consultation at our office in Rohnert Park, CA.
Signs You May Need Jaw Surgery
The most common types of jaw dysfunction present themselves in the form of an underbite or overbite, both of which occur due to the uneven development of your upper and lower jaw. In minor cases of jaw misalignment, braces or other orthodontic treatment may be able to correct your condition. More severe jaw dysfunction is characterized by more serious symptoms, including
- Chronic jaw pain
- Sleep apnea or other problems with breathing
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Problems with chewing and swallowing food
- Persistent trouble with your bite
If you suffer from any or all of the symptoms above, you most likely suffer from severe jaw misalignment. When you visit our office for a consultation, Dr. Daniel can examine your condition and determine if jaw surgery can correct your problems and restore your oral health and function. He will discuss all of your treatment options with you.
Benefits of Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery can dramatically improve a patient’s life. In many cases, patients suffer through several years of symptoms before undergoing treatment, making the benefits of jaw surgery incredibly rewarding. The most common advantages of corrective jaw surgery include
- Decrease in pain and discomfort
- Improved chewing ability
- Improved breathing
- Less wear on teeth (due to improved tooth alignment)
In addition to the above benefits, many patients report an improved appearance thanks to the correction of their facial imbalance. Jaw surgery allows Dr. Daniel to perform some incredible smile transformations, and we love seeing the life-changing results.
Jaw Surgery Procedure
Jaw surgery is designed to improve the function of your jaws by repositioning them to align correctly. The treatment process is often based on teamwork between Dr. Daniel, our team, and your orthodontist. This team-based approach allows us to provide comprehensive and high-quality care.
The treatment process begins with braces, which your orthodontist will place. Your braces will correct the position of your teeth and prepare the teeth and jaws for surgical adjustment. You will likely wear the braces through the entire course of treatment, which typically lasts between 18 and 24 months. Somewhere in the middle of this time, Dr. Daniel will perform the jaw surgery. He will carefully separate the jaws and re-set them into their proper, aligned position, using screws and small plates to hold them in place.
Over the next few months, your jaws will heal and your ability to eat, speak, and breathe, will gradually improve. We will provide you with post-operative instructions to help ensure you have an easy and comfortable recovery.
Jaw Surgery in Rohnert Park, CA
For patients who suffer from severe jaw dysfunction, jaw surgery is a life-changing procedure. This treatment can significantly improve your ability to eat and speak properly and can increase your confidence in your smile. We encourage you to call our office in Rohnert Park, CA, today to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Daniel.
