What is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, often known as corrective jaw surgery, refers to any surgical technique addressing various dental and facial skeletal abnormalities. The name “orthognathic” is derived from the Greek terms “orthos,” which means “straighten,” and “gnathic,” which refers to the jaw. From facial reconstructive surgery to wisdom tooth extraction, orthognathic surgery encompasses many operations. Here at Rockwall Oral Surgery, we specialize in orthognathic surgery!
Issues with your jaw, its alignment, or the alignment of your teeth can have a significant influence on your daily life. Eating and speaking can be challenging and painful experiences. Even your sleep can be affected, leaving you feeling foggy and unreliable throughout the day. Orthognathic surgery may be the best option for you if no other treatments have worked. Surgery may be used to address a variety of issues, such as:
Pain That Can’t Be Explained
The activities of your jaws might sometimes generate unexpected pain elsewhere in your body. Excessive pressure in your jaw caused by grinding or bite difficulties could be the source of your headaches and even neck pain.
Flow of Air
While sleeping, the posture of your jaw can also hinder airflow. Misaligned jaws frequently cause sleep apnea; a misaligned jaw may cause exhaustion and lack of stamina.
Mechanical Issues
If you have difficulty eating, meeting your lips together, or notice an obvious imbalance in your appearance, you may have jaw misalignment that your doctor can fix with surgery. It’s also worth noting that while many jaw problems aren’t visible in the mirror, it’s an excellent place to start.
How is Orthognathic Surgery Performed?
A local anesthetic may be injected before starting your surgery. Your doctor could also provide a sedative depending on the type of operation performed. The amount of work that your doctor needs to do will determine the length of your surgery- this means it can take anywhere from one to many hours. Your doctor will begin with an incision to gain access to the bone. We can then add bone, subtract bone, or reshape it. Your doctor can use wires or metal plates and screws to set and stabilize your jaw. After that, your doctor will cleanse and suture the incision.
Post-Orthognathic Surgery
Patients considering orthognathic surgery are frequently faced with a lengthy recovery period and a restricted diet at the start of their recovery. Chewing is avoided in post-surgery patients to allow the bone to mend and solidify. Because adequate healing can take up to 8-12 weeks, patients will be placed on a “swallowing diet” for some time.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ready to make your dental goals a reality? 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.
