Do I Need Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is a beneficial dental surgery that allows individuals to gain freedom from facial and jaw pain.
There are numerous reasons for a person to undergo a corrective jaw surgery procedure. From obstructive sleep apnea to dental trauma, these conditions can impact the functionality of a person’s jaw and face.
Benefits of orthognathic surgery include:
- Relief from jaw pain
- Ability to eat, drink, and speak normally again
- Improvement of digestive and overall health
- Increase in sleep and decrease in fatigue
- Increase in confidence from facial appearance improvement
So, what does corrective jaw surgery do for a person, why would someone need this surgery, and what occurs during the surgery? Let’s dive deeper into the answers to these questions.
Orthognathic Surgery: A Type of Dental Surgery
There are many dental issues a person can have throughout their life. For example, cavities are a common dental issue. However, in most cases, a cavity will only require a filling. For more serious dental conditions, surgery is a possible aspect of the treatment plan.
A person might need dental surgery if they have one of the following dental issues:
- Open bite
- Malocclusion (a “bad bite”)
- TMJD (temporomandibular jaw disorder)
- Mouth breathing
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Misalignment of facial features
- Congenital defects (like cleft palate)
- Facial trauma
Process of Corrective Jaw Surgery
The first step in any dental surgery is for the dental surgeon to conduct a thorough examination of the individual’s mouth. The examination ensures that surgery is the best option and treatment plan for a person experiencing dental pain.
During the examination, the dentist will perform a visual exam. The dental team will take images of the person’s mouth, such as x-rays, CT scans, and an MRI(s). The dental surgeon will review these images to determine the best course of action moving forward.
After the decision is made to perform surgery, a local anesthetic will be administered. Some procedures will require a deeper sedation level.
Incisions will be made so Dr. Pollock can access the bones. Dr. Pollock may need to remove, add, or reshape bones to obtain the desired appearance for the patient. The length of the surgery will depend on the amount of dental and jaw work to be done.
If an individual is experiencing severe dental pain and they have tried other treatment options, call Dr. Pollock to discuss the possibility of jaw surgery to correct the underlying issue causing dental pain.
Orthognathic Surgery With Dr. Pollock
Corrective jaw surgery allows individuals with jaw pain or malformations to live pain-free. Jaw surgery aids people in finding relief from their symptoms.
Ready to overcome dental pain or achieve one’s dental goals? Our team is eager to assist our patients with personalized dental surgery options and treatments. Contact Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery to schedule a dental appointment. We are available by phone at (469) 264-8921 or email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com.
We look forward to helping people find relief from their dental pain!
