Surgical orthodontics is sometimes necessary for severe cases. In these situations, surgery is necessary to restore the health of the smile. Most cases won’t require surgery to resolve, but it may occasionally be necessary. Our experts can help to determine whether you need surgical orthodontics or not in order to protect your smile. Here are a few signs that you need surgical orthodontics.
What is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is also referred to as orthognathic surgery. It is generally used to correct particularly severe cases of misalignment or to improve aesthetic appearance. Most situations won’t call for surgery, but if it is necessary, it can provide many benefits to the appearance and health of the smile. Our team can provide you with the ideal treatment plan for your smile.
Benefits of Surgical Orthodontics
There are several benefits to obtaining surgical orthodontics when necessary. It can improve an individual’s ability to chew their food, which can provide benefits to their digestion and comfort. The right orthodontic treatment can also help to improve speech patterns, which can further enhance confidence and social interactions. Individuals with particularly severe cases may even have difficulty breathing, which can be resolved through the use of surgical orthodontics. It may also improve aesthetic appearance when the jawbone is severely misaligned.
Who is a Candidate for Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery can only be used in particular and severe cases. It is important that the patients’ bones have stopped growing prior to implementing surgical orthodontics. Growth may resolve the underlying problem without the use of surgery. In addition, growth following surgical orthodontics can undo the work that has been done. Orthodontic treatment can begin before the jawbone has completely finished growing, but surgery should not be performed before this point. The jawbone usually stops growing for females around the age of 16 and males around the age of 18.
How Surgical Orthodontics Work
Surgical orthodontics is not an immediate fix to a misaligned smile. It is used in tandem with orthodontic treatment to fix malocclusions and misaligned teeth. Your orthodontist can guide you through the process of your particular surgery, including things such as recovery time and how to repair appropriately for the procedure.
Signs that you Need Surgical Orthodontics
There are a few signs that may indicate the necessity of surgical orthodontics. However, it is important to be aware that only your orthodontist can tell you for certain whether you would benefit from surgical orthodontics or not. Some of these signs include TMJ pain, frequent headaches, sleep apnea, and severe cases of malocclusion. Traumatic jaw injuries may require surgery to rectify completely.
Ultimately, you will need a diagnosis from an orthodontist to determine if surgical orthodontics is necessary for your own particular situation. When you visit us at Bailey Orthodontics, we can help to come up with the appropriate treatment plan for your smile. Whether you need surgical orthodontics or basic orthodontic treatment, we can ensure that your needs are met. To learn more about determining if you need surgical orthodontics, contact us at Bailey Orthodontics in Bountiful, UT today!
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