Jaw Surgery
When your jaw is out of alignment, everyday tasks, such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking, are more difficult and sometimes even painful.
Corrective jaw surgery can have a dramatic & positive effect on many aspects of your life by creating a more harmonious bite and appearance.
Eliminate chronic discomfort and improve your appearance.
Realigning your jaw can enhance your appearance. When your jaw is out of alignment, your face can look unbalanced. Corrective jaw surgery can adjust the proportions of your face for a more symmetrical appearance.
Corrective jaw surgery can make eating simpler. Misalignment in your jaw can cause difficulty chewing, biting, and swallowing. When your jaw and teeth meet properly, you can eat with ease.
Adjusting your jaw can make breathing and speaking easier.
Often, jaw misalignment can cause breathing problems, such as sleep apnea or snoring, and also disrupt the way you naturally speak.
But isn't surgery expensive?
Jaw surgery is often a medical necessity and prevents potentially serious health concerns. In many cases, insurance will cover a large portion of the procedure, making corrective jaw surgery more affordable.
Treatment timeline.
- First Steps
In general, patients need braces to align their teeth before surgery. Typically, alignment takes 12 to 18 months.
- Undergoing Surgery
Jaw surgery is performed by a surgeon under general anesthesia in a hospital. The jawbone is incised and may be augmented, reshaped, or adjusted. Alterations are held in place with permanent hardware. Corrective jaw surgery can address your upper jaw, lower jaw, chin, or a combination.
- After the Procedure
You may need to stay in the hospital for two to four nights
after surgery.
- Recovery
Most patients can return to work or school within one to three weeks, but full healing can take up to three months.
- Final Adjustments
After about six weeks, your orthodontist may recommend a second round of braces, which can take several more months to complete.
You have options.
Braces or Invisalign®
Some patients with jaw misalignments decide against surgery. If your jaw is only slightly out of alignment, your orthodontist may be able to realign your teeth and bite with braces or Invisalign®.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Other patients can reduce jaw discomfort with oral appliance therapy. However, in some cases, the only way to really address painful symptoms is through surgery.
Get to know us.
At Bloomington Oral Surgery, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
