For most patients, orthodontic treatment can be provided without any need for surgery. However, in more severe cases, corrective surgical treatment may be the best option to help you achieve the results you want and deserve. If you suffer from jaw bone abnormalities, bite abnormalities, or malocclusion (the abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth), Sims Orthodontics in Pensacola, FL can help answer your questions about surgical treatment and refer you to the best surgeon in town.
Orthodontic surgery is also referred to as “orthognathic surgery.” Oral surgery is one of the nine recognized specialties in the dentistry profession, so you can rest assured that the surgeons working in this area are the most skilled and most experienced in treating complicated oral and craniofacial cases that involve the mouth, jaw, face, and skull.
How Surgical Orthodontics Work
Orthognathic surgery corrects the abnormalities of the facial bones that cause difficulty with routine, everyday activities, such as chewing, talking, and sleeping. This surgery will correct these problems and, when used in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.
Surgeons will use state-of-the-art materials like titanium plates and miniature screws to provide strength, stability, and uniformity to your treatment. Over the years, technology, procedures, and equipment have become more advanced, and surgical processes have become more efficient. This has greatly reduced post-surgical recovery time and has allowed patients to return to their normal lives quicker than ever.
Candidacy for Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics are generally only performed on adults over the age of 18 whose jaws have stopped growing. This is typically a last resort solution that is performed only in the most severe cases, because it can be very invasive. However, it may be the ideal solution if your jaw does not line up properly or if you have a misaligned bite. The surgery will properly realign the bite, which can have a dramatic (and very positive!) effect on the aesthetics and the function of the jaw. Once surgery is complete, braces will continue to be used to straighten the teeth and perfect the structure of the smile.
The Benefits Outweigh the Risks
Deciding to undergo any type of surgery is a major choice for anyone, but if you are a good candidate for orthognathic surgery, the benefits you will reap far outweigh the risks of the surgery. The results of the surgery can dramatically change your life by:
- Helping you achieve the most beautiful smile possible
- Boosting your confidence
- Enhancing and improving your overall appearance
