Surgical Orthodontics in Florida
Busciglio Smiles offers the latest technologies in surgical orthodontic treatments.
Jaw abnormalities can cause difficulty with chewing, talking, and even sleeping. With the skilled help of our board-certified orthodontist, surgical orthodontics can resolve these issues through corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), and will improve a patient’s overall facial appearance when combined with orthodontic treatment.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics refers, in general, to any medical procedure to fix or mitigate malocclusions with the teeth and jaw. The term “malocclusion” refers to a misalignment, which can be not only functionally problematic but aesthetically undesirable. Misaligned teeth and jawbones can cause problems with speaking, biting, and chewing food. Malocclusions can also cause chronic jaw pain. For severe cases, jaw surgery may be necessary.
Our first approach will be to use non-surgical procedures such as braces or headgear to fix misalignments in the teeth and jaw. Surgical orthodontics will be utilized if non-surgical procedures have not achieved the desired results or are simply not feasible.
Surgical orthodontics is typically performed on adults, after the teeth have fully grown in and the structure of the jaw has stabilized. In severe cases, patients may need jaw surgery to help them breathe, chew, and speak.
In conjunction with surgical orthodontics, dental appliances such as braces may be used to help reposition teeth, especially after a jaw surgery which can affect the position of the teeth. Local anesthesia, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia may be required depending on the orthodontic surgery required.
Types of Orthodontic Surgery
Surgical orthodontics can refer to a number of different procedures. These include tooth extraction, tooth implants, and fiberotomy, which is a procedure to remove fibers connected to teeth in order to keep them properly aligned. Surgical orthodontic procedures that involve jaw surgery are called “orthognathic.”
A common type of orthodontic surgery is tooth extraction, which is often done to remove teeth that are too decayed or are crowding the mouth. Wisdom teeth removal is an example of this. Dental implants are a type of orthodontic surgery that is used to replace teeth. A metal implant (often made of titanium) is placed within the jawbone to provide a sturdy base for a crown or dental bridge. Jaw surgery, which may require both an orthodontist and a surgeon, is part of a field called orthognathics.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthodontics is related to the field of orthognathics. What is orthognathics? Orthognathics is a field of medicine that is dedicated to restoring and repairing issues with the face and jaw. The potential applications of orthognathics are numerous and go beyond fixing common problems such as a jaw misalignment. For example, a misaligned jaw can cause sleep apnea. Another less common problem that can be addressed in orthognathic surgery is cleft palate.
Some types of jaw surgery will require cooperation between our orthodontist and a jaw surgeon (oral and maxillofacial). We will work with any additional surgeons to make sure the surgical approach is optimal for your case. We will also follow up with you to make sure that any post-surgery treatment is implemented in a timely fashion. These treatments that may include braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
You can expect a recovery period after orthognathic surgery that could last a few weeks or more, depending on your specific case.
The Benefits of Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics has many potential benefits, depending on the procedure, including:
Better functionality of the jaw, which makes it easier to speak and chew
Improved appearance and a more confident smile
Alleviation of pain and discomfort and removal of strain on the jaw muscles
Better, sounder sleep, if sleep apnea was being caused by a misaligned jaw
As you can see, surgical orthodontics has many benefits. For those with cosmetic concerns as well as functional problems, the right jaw surgery could completely transform your face as well as make life so much more enjoyable. This can be priceless!
Do I Need Surgical Orthodontics?
Our board-certified orthodontist will be able to answer the question of whether you need surgical orthodontics when you come in for a free consultation. As mentioned, surgical orthodontics is typically only performed on adults after the teeth and jaw stop growing, which is typically between the ages of 16 and 18. We will review your case and determine whether orthodontic or orthognathic surgery is necessary. However, we will typically opt for non-surgical treatments first.
Factors that may determine the type of treatment include its severity as well as its cause. A genetic condition may require a different approach than a jaw problem caused by an accident or sudden trauma. It is also important to consider whether the treatment is to fix a functional problem with chewing or speaking, or whether it is simply cosmetic. We will of course go over all options with you to determine the best plan of treatment for your particular circumstances.
Insurance Coverage for Surgical Orthodontics
Your insurance may cover all or part of your orthodontic surgery. We will also work with you on affordable payment options. Contact our office for more information.
