Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct severe jaw alignment and bite problems that cannot be treated with orthodontics alone. At R & R Orthodontics, Dr. Richard Rosenbloom works closely with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to help patients improve jaw function, bite alignment, and facial balance through coordinated surgical orthodontic treatment.
Orthognathic surgery may improve chewing, speaking, breathing, and overall facial aesthetics while helping the teeth and jaws function properly together.
Who May Need Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is typically recommended for adult patients with significant jaw alignment concerns, bite problems, or facial balance issues that cannot be corrected with braces alone.
Candidates for orthognathic surgery usually have completed jaw growth, which typically occurs around:
- Age 16 for females
- Age 18 for males
While surgery itself must wait until jaw growth is complete, orthodontic preparation with braces may begin one to two years earlier.
How Does Surgical Orthodontic Treatment Work?
Surgical orthodontic treatment involves a combination of orthodontic care and jaw surgery to place the teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
In some cases, braces alone may not fully correct the bite because the upper and lower jaws are not properly positioned. Orthognathic surgery helps reposition the jaws so the teeth fit together correctly and function more effectively.
Treatment is carefully coordinated between the orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon throughout the entire process.
What Happens During Orthognathic Surgery?
The specific surgical procedure depends on the patient’s orthodontic and jaw alignment needs.
Depending on the case, surgery may involve:
- Repositioning the lower jaw forward or backward
- Raising, lowering, or repositioning the upper jaw
- Adjusting facial bones to improve alignment and stability
- Adding or removing bone in certain areas when necessary
Orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and may take several hours depending on the complexity of treatment.
What Is Recovery Like After Jaw Surgery?
Recovery following orthognathic surgery generally takes about two weeks before patients are able to return to school or work. Complete healing usually occurs over approximately 4–8 weeks.
During recovery, Dr. Rosenbloom continues monitoring orthodontic treatment and making any necessary bite adjustments as healing progresses.
Will I Still Need Braces After Surgery?
Yes. Braces are typically worn before and after surgery as part of the treatment process.
After surgery, orthodontic adjustments continue to help finalize tooth positioning and bite alignment. Braces are commonly removed approximately 6–12 months after surgery, depending on the patient’s treatment progress.
Why Are Retainers Important After Surgical Orthodontics?
After braces are removed, retainers help maintain the corrected position of the teeth and protect the results of treatment.
Wearing retainers as instructed is an important part of maintaining long-term bite stability and alignment after surgical orthodontic treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients considering surgical orthodontics often have questions about treatment timing, surgery, and recovery. Below are answers to some common questions about orthognathic treatment at R & R Orthodontics.
Braces move the teeth into alignment, while surgical orthodontics corrects problems involving the position of the jaws. Some severe bite and jaw concerns require both orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery for proper correction.
In certain cases, the upper and lower jaws are not properly aligned, making it difficult for braces alone to fully correct the bite. Orthognathic surgery helps reposition the jaws so the teeth fit together correctly.
Treatment length varies depending on the complexity of the case. Braces are usually worn before surgery and may remain in place for approximately 6–12 months afterward to finalize tooth alignment.
Most patients are able to return to school or work after about two weeks. Complete healing generally takes approximately 4–8 weeks depending on the surgical procedure performed.
Yes. Retainers are worn after braces are removed to help maintain the corrected position of the teeth and protect the long-term stability of your results.