Braces and aligners can do remarkable things, but some smiles need a little surgical help to reach their full potential. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) and orthodontists regularly collaborate to build comprehensive treatment plans that help the upper and lower jaws work together, so patients can breathe, chew and speak properly. Because every case is unique, you may see an oral surgeon before your braces go on, after they come off, or at key points in between. At Rockwall Oral Surgery, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Kevin Pollock and Dr. Nathan Dombrowski partner with local orthodontists to provide safe, precise surgical support that keeps orthodontic treatment on track. Here are four ways surgery can assist orthodontics and protect your long-term oral health.
Tooth Extractions to Make Room for Straighter Teeth
Tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures used to support orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist may recommend removing one or more teeth to create space so the remaining teeth can be straightened, or to extract impacted wisdom teeth that don’t have enough room to erupt. Surgical extractions can be performed under sedation or anesthesia in the office of an oral surgeon, which keeps patients comfortable throughout the procedure. Choosing an experienced teeth surgeon ensures each tooth is removed or managed with the highest level of expertise, setting the stage for a smoother orthodontic result.
Expose and Bond for Impacted Teeth
Sometimes a tooth becomes impacted, meaning it is blocked from erupting into the mouth. Fortunately, many impacted teeth, such as canines, can be guided into proper position rather than removed through a procedure called expose and bond. First, the oral surgeon and orthodontist plan together how to bring the tooth through the gum. Next, the surgeon exposes the impacted tooth and bonds a small orthodontic bracket and chain to it, which is then connected to the patient’s braces. Finally, the orthodontist gradually guides the tooth into its correct position. How long the procedure takes depends on the position of the tooth, the length and curvature of its roots, the thickness of the surrounding bone and the patient’s overall physical health.
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) for Precise Tooth Movement
Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, are small titanium screws placed for a short period to help reposition teeth more efficiently. TADs give the orthodontist a stable anchor point to move teeth in directions that braces alone can’t easily achieve, such as closing spaces or shifting a group of teeth. Placement of TADs is performed by an oral surgeon, and once they have served their purpose, they are removed. This small, minimally invasive step can shorten treatment time and improve the precision of orthodontic results.
Corrective Jaw Surgery and Early Orthodontic Evaluation
For some patients, straightening teeth alone isn’t enough because the upper and lower jaws don’t align properly. In these cases, orthognathic treatment, also known as corrective jaw surgery, may become part of the orthodontic plan to improve bite function, breathing, chewing, speech and facial balance. Catching these concerns early makes a meaningful difference, which is why children should be examined by an orthodontist by age 7. An early evaluation gives the orthodontist and oral surgeon time to identify impacted teeth, crowding or jaw growth issues and plan the right treatment at the right time.
A beautiful, healthy smile often takes a team effort, and having a board-certified oral surgeon on that team gives patients and parents added confidence. For 24 years, Rockwall Oral Surgery has provided Texas dental patients with advanced surgical care, supported by 3D cone beam imaging, flexible sedation options and non-opioid pain management with EXPAREL®. Whether your orthodontist has recommended extractions, expose and bond, TADs or corrective jaw surgery, our team is here to guide you through every step.