Do I Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?

If you are one of those people who have misaligned teeth and jaws that create an improper bite, you are very well someone who could benefit greatly from having corrective jaw surgery. The growth of the human jaw is a gradual process and it is common for both the upper and lower jaws to occasionally grow at different speeds. When this happens it can create many functional issues which include a difficulty in speaking, chewing foods, breathing, sleeping and your overall oral health condition. For those individuals who have developed a severe case of misalignment, the condition can even have an affect on the person’s physical appearance, producing emotional or psychological problems.

Aside from the rate of development, other factors such as birth defects and injuries to the jaw or head can also have a direct impact on your jaw alignment. While orthodontic braces will typically correct any bite problems which are caused by tooth misalignment, orthognathic surgery is required to correct a person’s jaw misalignment.

Conditions That May Indicate a Need for Corrective Jaw Surgery:

• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive wear on the teeth
• Chronic headache or pain in the jaw or jaw joint
• Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
• An unbalanced appearance of the face from either the front or side
• Open bite – the space between the upper and lower teeth when your mouth is closed
• Facial injury and/or birth defects
• A protruding jaw or receding chin
• Inability to make your lips meet without straining
• Sleep apnea – breathing problems while sleeping, which includes snoring

Evaluating Your Need for Corrective Jaw Surgery

It is in your best interest to work closely with your dentist and orthodontist so that they can determine is corrective jaw surgery is recommended, and which procedure is deemed appropriate for you.

For a consultation, call Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists at (262) 634-4646 today — we’ll take excellent care of you.