Surgical Orthodontics
Orthodontic surgery, sometimes called orthognathic surgery, corrects the jaw or facial bones to improve a patient’s oral health. In general, this is only done if another form of treatment, such as braces, is unlikely to fix the issue. If you’re looking for a surgeon in the Bradenton area, it’s important to work with professionals who are comfortable collaborating with different specialists in their industry.
At Orthodontic Specialists, with locations in East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Parrish, you’ll work with a qualified team of people at a private-owned practice in the South Florida area. By eliminating the miscommunication and back-and-forth, we help streamline our patient’s journeys so they’re comfortable and informed from start to finish.
When Is Orthodontic Surgery Necessary?
As you might imagine, orthodontic surgery is only recommended when there’s a severe issue. Otherwise, there are dental appliances and devices that can correct a variety of spacing, jaw, and facial anomalies. Common cases where you might need orthodontic surgery in Bradenton, FL, include:
- Severe bites: If your jaw is misaligned, it can cause the jaw to noticeably stick out, so it’s difficult to bite down properly. Surgery can be the answer whether you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Surgery can also correct an open bite so the front teeth will touch the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed.
- Chin protrusion: If the chin is jutting out beyond the lip, this is usually due to extreme growth in the lower jaw. During surgery, the surgeon can move the jaw backward and then secure it with plates and screws.
- Eating/chewing problems: If you’re unable to eat or speak properly and, again, the issue cannot be solved with braces, the doctor may recommend surgery so you can chew your food properly and enunciate your words without the interference from poor alignment.
- Apnea: In some cases, apnea is caused by the relaxation of the tissues in your mouth and throat. However, in other cases, it may come down to a problem with the structure of the jaw. If the bone is blocking your airway during sleep, surgical correction ensures that it won’t impair your breathing patterns.
- Symmetry: Surgery can improve jaw definition and correct the imbalance of your facial features. This is not usually a popular reason for orthodontic surgery, though your doctor may recommend it to you if you’re concerned about the aesthetics of your profile.
What Are Some Common Orthodontic Procedures?
The right type of orthodontic procedure will depend on everything from a patient’s health to the cause of the problem. For instance, a jaw that was injured during a car crash will need a different approach than one that was impacted by a large cyst or tumor. If you visit the Orthodontic Specialists, a small family-owned practice that treats all ages and addresses all needs, we may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Double-jaw: Double-jaw surgery will address problems with both the upper and lower jaws. People with long faces, protruding jaws, or skeletal abnormalities will typically benefit most from this procedure.
- Osteotomy: This procedure can be done on either your upper jaw (maxillary) or your lower jaw (mandibular). If either the upper or lower jaw don’t fit together properly (e.g., they stick out too much or too little), this procedure can correct the bites and improve your facial features at the same time.
- Genioplasty: A genioplasty specifically reshapes the chin, either by pushing it forward, pulling it back, moving it from one side to another, or moving it up or down. Genioplasty is typically considered more of a cosmetic procedure, though the procedure may be necessary if it’s the root cause of a larger medical issue.
How to Prepare for Surgical Orthodontics
Preparing for surgical orthodontics is important, and it starts with finding the best surgeons in your area. There are risks attached to every procedure, and, in some cases, the recovery time may be more involved than patients anticipate. At Orthodontic Specialists, with locations in East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Parrish, we can help you move through one phase to another as efficiently as possible:
- Evaluation: The evaluation is a major part of the surgical process, as this is where the orthodontist and surgeon will determine what the best treatment plan is for the patient. After explaining all the benefits (as well as the drawbacks) of each path forward, the patient can make a more informed decision about their oral health.
- Pre-surgery treatment: This step depends on the nature of the problem. In some cases, you may need to wear a dental appliance (e.g., braces, etc.) for a while to prepare the jaw for surgery.
- Surgery: Surgery is usually done under general instead of local anesthesia. The surgeon may need to break the jaw to properly reposition it and cement it with plates and screws.
- Post-treatment: You may need to wear another oral device to further stabilize the jaw and ensure that your teeth are fully aligned.
Surgical Orthodontics in South Florida
If you have questions about surgical orthodontics in East Bradenton, West Bradenton, or Parrish, our offices can start filling in the answers. Because your surgical needs will be based on your bone structure and orthodontic issues, it’s important not to make assumptions until you talk to the right professionals. At Orthodontic Specialists, we’re here to find the treatments you need to fix any oral health issues you may be experiencing.
