Surgical orthodontics isn’t necessary in every case of misalignment, but it can help realign your jaw to restore your appearance and improve its functioning. At Century City Smiles & Orthodontics in Century City, California, Shawn Saidian, DDS, and Tania Ohebsion, DDS, plan orthognathic surgery for people in the Greater Los Angeles area who have severe misalignment not treatable with braces alone. For more information about surgical orthodontics, call Century City Smiles & Orthodontics or book an appointment online today.
Book OnlineWhat is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics, otherwise known as orthognathic surgery, is a treatment that supplements or takes the place of traditional orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners in extreme cases. During orthognathic surgery, your surgeon corrects structural issues with your teeth and the bones in your jaw and face.
Typically, the team at Century City Smiles & Orthodontics recommends completing traditional orthodontic treatments before undergoing surgery. Braces or invisible aligners can make your teeth straight and well-aligned so they fit together perfectly after you heal from your surgery.
When is surgical orthodontics necessary?
The team at Century City Smiles & Orthodontics recommends surgical orthodontics only to patients whose jaws have finished growing. However, not every adult interested in correcting a misaligned smile needs orthognathic surgery.
The team assesses your smile thoroughly in order to decide whether surgery is necessary for you. They might recommend surgery if you have:
- An open bite
- A severe underbite
- A severe overbite
- A lower jaw that skews to one side of your face
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Trouble closing your mouth completely
- Excessive tooth wear and tear on the bite surfaces
Complications like these can cause difficulty for your speech as well as your ability to bite and chew. Even if you don’t have much trouble with speaking or eating, you might seek surgical orthodontics because of the way your misalignment affects your appearance. Successful treatment with surgical orthodontics can improve your self-image and confidence.
How should I prepare for orthognathic surgery?
You may need to wear braces for 12-18 months before you get orthognathic surgery at Century City Smiles & Orthodontics. Once your braces are off, the team takes X-rays, pictures, and 3D computed tomography (CT) scans of your teeth and jaw to create a detailed plan for your surgery.
In the weeks before your surgery, they may advise you to:
- Stop smoking
- Adjust or stop taking certain medications
- Follow instructions regarding eating and drinking, like fasting for several hours
- Ask questions about your upcoming surgery and what to expect
- Shop for soft foods to eat as you recover
You can expect to stay in the hospital for 2-4 days after your surgery as you recover. Before the surgery, you should make arrangements at work and make sure you schedule the surgery either after or long before any significant events.
If your teeth are improperly aligned, especially if you have problems with eating or speaking, book a consultation for surgical orthodontics by phone or online at Century City Smiles & Orthodontics today.