Corrective Jaw Surgery can fix more than just your smile

A lot of people think of corrective jaw surgery as just cosmetic. But there are actually a lot of hidden benefits that can improve your daily life. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help?

It all comes down to how the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jawbones align. When the jaw bones don’t sit properly they can cause a variety of lifelong problems. 

What problems can corrective jaw surgery help?

• Malocclusions otherwise known as bite problems like overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites.
• “Chew-ability” (mastication) or the ease, comfort, and effectiveness of chewing/swallowing food.
• Tooth erosion caused by malocclusions.
• Speech impediments, once again stemming from malocclusions.
• Obstructed airflow and sleep apnea.

Can’t braces fix my bite problem? 

Some milder versions of these problems can be fixed with non-surgical orthodontics like braces. For example, some overbites can be fixed with braces as well as Forsus and Herbst appliances. 

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However, braces and supplemental appliances can only do so much. Braces are ideal for teenagers and young adults because their skeletons are still growing. But braces are less likely to be effective for older, skeletally mature adults. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help with misaligned bites? 

Surgeons can cut one or both jawbones and then move them into optimal positions. They then secure this adjustment with plates and screws. This realigns the bite and facial structure to directly address the malocclusion. 

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This might sound intense, but in most cases the jaw bones really only need to be moved by a few millimeters. Yes, a few millimeters can make all the difference. 

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A lot of people think corrective jaw surgery involves breaking the jaw. But this is a misconception and over simplification of a sophisticated surgical technique called osteotomy. Osteotomy is the controlled cutting of bones to reshape them. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help with chewing and swallowing?

Repositioning the jaws can improve mastication mechanics— all the bio-mechanics that go into chewing. It can reduce the strain on the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints or just TMJ). It can also give your chewing muscles better leverage so they don’t work so hard. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help or prevent tooth erosion?

Unbalanced bites can concentrate force against your own teeth, gradually eroding and damaging them. Realigning the jaw can distribute this force more evenly, preventing tooth erosions. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help with speech impediments?

Some malocclusions get in the way of your tongue. Jaw misalignment can impede on the tongue’s oral space preventing it from moving or resting properly. Corrective jaw surgery can expand the oral cavity, giving your tongue room for clear articulation. 

How can corrective jaw surgery help treat sleep apnea? 

Jaw misalignment can narrow or obstruct airflow, thus contributing to breathing problems like sleep apnea. Advancing the lower jaw or expanding the upper jaw can widen this airway, making it easier to breathe. 

Talk to your orthodontist or oral surgeon about what corrective jaw surgery can do for you.

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