What Types of Misalignments Require Surgery?
Various misalignments might require orthognathic surgery. Some of the most common ones include:
- An Overcrowded Mouth: If your mouth is overcrowded, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and difficulty cleaning your teeth properly. Jaw surgery can help to correct this problem by expanding your dental arches and giving your teeth more space.
- A Malocclusion: A malocclusion is a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth that can result in difficulty biting and chewing, as well as jaw pain and headaches. Jaw surgery can correct this misalignment and improve your bite.
- A Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip: A cleft palate or cleft lip is a congenital condition that occurs when the tissue in the roof of the mouth or the lip doesn’t fuse properly during fetal development. Jaw surgery can be part of the treatment plan to correct this condition.
- An Impacted Tooth: An impacted tooth occurs when a tooth fails to emerge from the gumline properly. This can cause pain, swelling, and infection. Jaw surgery may be required to help the tooth emerge and improve overall oral health.
Age Range for Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery is most often recommended for patients whose jaws have stopped developing. Typically, jaw surgery patients are in their late teens or early twenties. Therefore, the youngest teens and children may get alternative recommendations for guiding jaw growth, such as early intervention orthodontics.
Contact Us Today for a Consultation
Our team at Advanced Orthodontic Care can help you learn more about how orthognathic surgery can benefit your jaw function and appearance. You can call us at 303-331-0222 or fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
