Corrective Jaw Surgery
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Family Member of Patient
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Jaw And Facial Surgery
and eat.
Jaw surgery may be a corrective option if you have jaw problems that can’t be resolved with orthodontics alone. In most cases, you also have braces on your teeth before surgery as well during, until healing and alignment are complete. Your orthodontist will partner with Dr. Jessen to determine your customized treatment plan.
Jaw surgery is appropriate after growth stops, usually around ages 14 to 16 years for females and ages 17 to 21 years for males.
Why Is Corrective Jaw Surgery Done
Jaw surgery may help:
- Make biting and chewing easier and improve chewing overall.
- Correct problems with swallowing or speech.
- Minimize excessive wear and breakdown of the teeth.
- Correct bite fit or jaw closure issues, such as when the molars touch but the front teeth don’t touch (open bite).
- Correct facial imbalance (asymmetry), such as small chins, underbites, overbites and crossbites.
- Improve the ability of the lips to fully close comfortably.
- Relieve pain caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and other jaw problems.
- Repair facial injury or birth defects.
- In some cases, this corrective surgery can provide relief for airway problems and some obstructive sleep apnea.
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Preparing For Corrective Jaw Surgery
usually on for 12 to18 months before surgery to level and align your teeth in preparation
for surgery.
Your orthodontist and Dr. Jessen work together to develop your treatment plan. X-rays,
pictures and models of your teeth are part of the planning for your jaw surgery.
Occasionally, the difference in the way teeth fit together will require either reshaping of
the teeth, covering the teeth with crowns or both to complete correction.
Three-dimensional CT scanning, computer-guided treatment planning, and temporary
orthodontic anchoring devices may be used to help in the movement of teeth and
decrease your time in braces.
Virtual surgical planning (VSP) will be used to guide Dr. Jessen to fit and correct the jaw segment position during the procedure for the most optimal result.
What You Can Expect
With the Procedure
Before The Procedure
During The Procedure
Dr. Jessen makes cuts in the jawbones and moves them into the correct position. Once your jaw movement is completed, tiny bone plates, screws, wires, and rubber bands may be used to secure the bones into their new position. These screws — which are smaller than a bracket used for braces — become integrated into the bone structure over time.
In some cases, extra bone may be added to the jaw. Dr. Jessen surgically may need to transfer the bone from your hip, leg or rib and secures it with plates and screws. In other cases, your own bone may be reshaped to provide a better fit. Jaw surgery may be performed on the upper jaw, lower jaw, chin or any combination of these. Upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy)surgery on the upper jaw may be performed to correct:
- Significantly receded or protruding upper jaw.
- Crossbite.
- Too much or too little of the teeth showing.
- Open bite.
- Reduced Facial Growth of The Middle of The Face (midfacial hypoplasia).
The jaw and upper teeth are moved forward until they fit properly with the lower teeth. This will be planned, with 3D scans and x-rays to determine if additional work, such as orthodontics, will be needed to help correct any remaining fit differences for the patient. Once the jaw is realigned, plates and screws hold the bone in its new position, your orthodontist will be providing some brace support.
Lower Jaw (mandibular osteotomy)
A mandibular osteotomy can correct:
- Receding lower jaw.
- Protruding lower jaw.
Dr. Jessen makes cuts behind the molars and lengthwise down the jawbone so the front of the jaw can move as one unit. The jaw can then be moved to its new position either forward or backward. Plates and screws hold the jawbone together as it heals.
Chin Surgery (genioplasty)
A genioplasty can correct a small chin (deficient chin). A small chin often accompanies a severely receded lower jaw. Typically, Dr. Jessen can alter the jaw and restructure the chin during the same surgery. The surgeon cuts a piece of the chin bone on the front of the jaw, moves it forward, and secures it in a new position with plates and screws.
After The Procedure
- What you can eat.
- Oral hygiene.
- Avoiding tobacco.
- Avoiding strenuous activity.
- Medications to control pain.
- When to return to work or school, which is usually in one to three weeks.
Initial jaw healing typically takes about six weeks after surgery, but complete healing can take up to 12 weeks.
After initial jaw healing — at about six weeks — your orthodontist finishes aligning your teeth with braces. The entire orthodontic process, including surgery and braces, may take several years. Once the braces are removed, retainers may be used to hold the teeth in position.
Results
Correcting alignment of your jaws and teeth with jaw surgery can result in:
- A balanced appearance of your lower face.
- Improved function of your teeth.
- Health benefits from improved sleep, breathing, chewing and swallowing.
- Improvement in speech impairments.
Secondary benefits of jaw surgery may include:
- Improved appearance.
- Improved self-esteem.
Dr. Jessen performs these and other surgeries at several local hospitals and surgical centers for patient care.
Experience. Care. Community.
Why Choose Our Oral Surgery Office?
From the initial contact, you will be met with a warm, welcoming atmosphere of our office to your post-surgical recovery plan, every aspect of your experience and care at Jessen Oral Surgery will exceed your expectations.
As a patient of Jessen Oral Surgery, you can expect to be treated as an individual deserving of our full attention, not as simply another patient. Your treatment will be tailored to your specific needs and wants, down to the finest detail. The only result Dr. Jessen finds acceptable is the optimal result.
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Other Procedures We Offer
Jessen Oral Surgery
Jessen Oral Surgery offers a full scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures. Our patients receive outstanding care with our knowledge of the latest surgical techniques and state of the art diagnosing and surgical equipment. Our priority is to give each patient individual care in an understanding, caring and a comfortable environment provided by Dr. Jessen and his team.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Dental Implants
Corrective Jaw Surgery
All-on-4
Oral Pathology
