Our Chapel Hill, NC, orthodontist wants you to know that if you’re suffering from jaw pain or a dental malocclusion, such as an overbite or underbite, it’s not something you have to live with. Even symptoms such as difficulty chewing and swallowing your food could make you a candidate for orthognathic surgery, a procedure designed to correct a variety of skeletal and dental imperfections. Our Chapel Hill orthodontist explains below.
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What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
According to our Chapel Hill, NC, orthodontist, orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery that straightens or realigns your jaw, and corrects necessary related skeletal deformities. This surgery takes place in a hospital setting and is performed by an oral maxillofacial surgeon, who straightens your jaw alignment using surgical plates, screws, and wires. Depending on your specific case, the jaws can be lengthened or shortened, plus moved around to create a harmonious bite and happy, healthy smile.
Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?
Generally, orthognathic surgery is used to correct an improper bite that may be causing problems, such as irregular speech, difficulty chewing food, or a sleep disorder. You might also experience headaches, joint pain or discomfort in your gums. According to our Chapel Hill orthodontist, if you have any of the following conditions, orthognathic surgery may be beneficial:
- Birth defects
- Chronic jaw or jaw joint pain
- Involuntary mouth breathing
- Trauma to the face or jaw
- Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when your mouth is closed)
- Underbite (protruding jaw)
- Overbite (receding lower jaw and chin)
- Tumor affecting the jaw
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Contact an Orthodontic Professional
Some of the above symptoms are experienced from birth, while others develop over time. As always, if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact our Chapel Hill orthodontist for more information or to schedule a consultation. Our experienced orthodontic team will evaluate your condition and make recommendations accordingly. You don’t have to live with jaw pain or a dental irregularity, orthognathic surgery can be the answer to your oral problems and provide you with a happy, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other orthodontic-related topics, feel free to contact Wilson Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office near Chapel Hill, NC, by clicking here or by calling 919.383.7423.