What is corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Orthognathic surgery includes operations to correct abnormality and/ or asymmetry in the jaw for improved function and aesthetics. Orthognathic surgery can also improve your breathing, chewing, and speaking. It can also enhance your facial shape. In most cases, you need orthodontic treatment (braces) to complete the correction of the jaw problems. We will be working closely with your orthodontist before and after your surgery. If you have not selected your orthodontist yet, the team at Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center partners with leading orthodontists to ensure you receive the best possible care. Some of the signs that you might need jaw surgery include:
- Problems biting or chewing food
- Swallowing problems
- Chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Open bite (your teeth don’t come together when you close your mouth)
- Lips don’t meet when you close your mouth
- Receding or protruding lower jaw
- Facial injuries
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea
The team at Pacific Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center usually performs orthognathic surgery to restore dental and jaw function. However, correcting jaw irregularities can also enhance your appearance, creating a more symmetrical face and jaw.
What happens during jaw surgery?
The team at Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center begins with a comprehensive consultation and exam. They use cutting-edge digital scans and Conebeam CT scans to assess your face. The surgical plan is carried out with state-of-the-art digital planning software to enhance the accuracy of the surgery.
What should I expect after jaw surgery?
Your operations will take place at Sutter Health System (Either California Pacific Medical Center in SF or Summit Hospital in Oakland). Any discomfort usually subsides within 10 days as your jaw heals and your swelling subsides. You will need to stick to full liquid diet until you are cleared to advance the diet. Once the surgery is finished, you will continue to wear your braces post-operatively (several months) for minor adjustment of the occlusion.
If you need jaw surgery, call Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center, or make an appointment online for expert care.
