Oral Surgery for Bite Alignment

Oral surgery performed to improve a patient’s bite alignment is called orthognathic surgery, and it involves moving bones in the lower or upper jaw or both. The surgical manipulation of the patient’s jaw by moving, lengthening, or shortening it can help to develop a more harmonious appearance and bite.

Orthognathic surgery is typically recommended when a patient’s teeth and jaws do not meet as they should. Oral surgery is performed to reposition the jaw to restore proper joint function. These treatments improve a patient’s breathing, chewing, and speech. They can also help with health issues like obstructive sleep apnea. Surgical procedures performed in the mouth must be carefully planned and often involve an oral surgeon working with a team of dentists.

Improving a patient’s bite with oral surgery

Bite problems can often be corrected with orthodontic treatments like the use of braces when they are caused by poor teeth positioning. Braces can help with minor issues caused by poor jaw placement, but moderate to severe misalignment typically requires a surgical approach to correct.

Failing to fix bite issues can lead to various problems like temporomandibular joint disorders, gum disorders, and poor facial aesthetics. Some of the signs that a patient might need corrective jaw surgery include:

• Chronic jaw pain
• Speech problems
• Issues with chewing or swallowing
• An open bite (the patient’s teeth do not touch each other)
• A severe underbite
• A severe overbite
• Misaligned facial structures like the nose, chin, and jaw
• Temporomandibular joint disorders

These problems do not necessarily mean a patient needs surgery, but the option might be explored if less invasive treatments are ineffective at addressing them. Diagnostics like x-rays and a thorough consultation are often performed before surgical treatments are considered.

The process

Orthognathic surgery typically involves using materials like titanium screws and plates to hold a patient’s jaw in a new position. These plates and screws are designed to have a low profile so that they do not alter the patient’s appearance, but they are effective at keeping manipulated jawbone tissues exactly where the surgeon wants them to be. The plates and screws used during orthognathic surgery are typically left there for the rest of the patient’s life.

Patients often stay overnight at the hospital after jaw surgery and are typically discharged the next morning. Patients should avoid any foods that put any strain on their jaw for the first few days after the treatment, then they can switch to soft foods that do not require much chewing for the next four weeks.

Patients will have to stick to liquid foods for the first six weeks following their surgery if their teeth are wired together. All strenuous activities should be avoided for the first four weeks following orthognathic surgery.