Some people consider jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, to improve their jawline or facial symmetry. For other people, jaw surgery is medically necessary. In short, if you have a condition that severely impedes the function of your jaw, you may need to have surgery.
Improper bite due to bone structure
Retainers, braces, and tooth extractions are the first methods any orthodontist considers to correct a malocclusion, or improper bite. However, if your teeth are severely misaligned or the malocclusion is due to your jaw bone structure, surgery may be a better solution. Jaw surgery can correct the following bite problems:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
Protruding, receding, or asymmetrical jawline
When the upper and lower jaws don’t align, this means the bones developed more in some areas than others.
- If your lower jaw protrudes, you may have mandibular hyperplasia (overdevelopment of the lower jaw) or maxillary hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the upper jaw).
- If your lower jaw recedes, you may have maxillary hyperplasia (overdevelopment of the upper jaw or mandibular hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the lower jaw).
- An asymmetrical jawline can result from several developmental syndromes that limit growth on one side of the jaw or cause overgrowth in certain areas.
All of these conditions require recontouring or jaw surgery. A protruding, receding, or asymmetrical jawline may be apparent from a young age, but patients must wait until adulthood when the jaw has finished growing to pursue orthognathic surgery. Children can wear braces, retainers, or headgear to improve the problem until surgery becomes an option.
If you think jaw surgery may be an option for you or you need more information on jaw surgery, get in touch with Oldham Orthodontics today on 0161 768 0931.
If you think jaw surgery may be an option for you or you need more information on jaw surgery, get in touch with Oldham Orthodontics today on 0161 768 0931.