When your jaw is misaligned and you have tried all the first-line treatments to no avail, you are likely considering corrective jaw surgery in Austin, TX. Unfortunately, malocclusion (or jaw misalignment) can have a range of impacts that include chronic pain, struggles with chewing and speaking, and even breathing difficulties. When this becomes the case, corrective jaw surgery is the definitive solution to restoring your confidence and the function of the complex oral structures you rely on every day for your basic needs.
At Hill Country Oral Surgery, we specialize in complex oral surgeries, like corrective jaw surgery. While surgery itself is never an exciting prospect, the results of corrective jaw surgery in Buda and Austin, TX can be exciting and life changing. In this post, we’ll review what you need to know to determine whether corrective jaw surgery is the right choice for you.
What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, is a specialized oral surgery procedure designed to correct skeletal and dental irregularities, such as jaw misalignment. Whether the result of genetic differences or trauma, corrective jaw surgery addresses the structure of the jaw and lower face to improve both the function and appearance of the oral structures that make up the lower face.
What Does Corrective Jaw Surgery Fix?
Corrective jaw surgery is specifically designed to address issues of the jaw and lower face that impede the function or form of your jaw. Patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), obstructive sleep apnea, or severe misalignment greatly benefit from this specialized and highly individualized procedure. Corrective jaw surgery can:
- Reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort
- Improve chewing ability
- Ease breathing and speaking ability
- Enhance your facial profile
Types of Corrective Jaw Surgery in Austin, TX
The jaw is made up of two primary bones: a fixed upper maxilla and a lower, movable bone called the mandible. The upper and lower jaws are hinged together at the temporomandibular joints. If anything goes awry with how these bones and joints work together, it can cause several issues that impact overall quality of life, and while orthodontics are enough for some people, severe issues or issues that arise as a result of trauma often need surgical intervention.
Depending on the individual nature of your concerns, your board-certified oral surgeon will recommend a specific type of corrective jaw surgery. Because there are so many moving parts that make up the jaw, there are four different types of jaw surgery to address individual or a combination of the components of the jaw.
Maxillary Osteotomy:
Maxillary osteotomy addresses the maxilla, or the upper jaw. Often, a maxillary osteotomy can correct an open bite, cross bite, and a condition where the upper jaw sits too far forward or too far backward.
Mandibular Osteotomy:
Surgery for the lower jaw, or mandible, is called mandibular osteotomy, and is often used to correct conditions where the lower jaw is either too far forward or too far backward.
Bimaxillary Osteotomy:
When both the upper and lower jaw need to be corrected to make substantive improvements for severe misalignment or trauma, you will need a bimaxillary osteotomy.
Genioplasty:
Genioplasty, or chin surgery, is used to reshape and reposition the chin bone to improve jaw alignment and the appearance of the facial profile. Genioplasty is often performed in conjunction with other jaw surgeries to correct bite issues or a receded lower jaw.
Do I Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?
If your bite misalignment issues are impacting the appearance of your face and the function of your oral structures, it is quite likely that you do need orthognathic surgery. Corrective jaw surgery is often recommended in patients who:
- Experience severe malocclusion like disruptive overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
- Have chronic pain and discomfort associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
- Struggle with chewing, breathing, or speaking
- Experience obstructive sleep apnea that is associated with structural issues
- Have facial appearance and asymmetry because of jaw positioning or size
If you are experiencing any of these issues and other less invasive treatments have not solved the issues, you may benefit from corrective jaw surgery.
Who Performs Corrective Jaw Surgery in Austin, TX?
As corrective jaw surgery is a complex surgical procedure, you need to see a board-certified maxillofacial surgeon for the surgical component of your treatment. Depending on the nature and severity of your condition, you should also expect to work with other dental professionals, including your primary general dentist and an orthodontist, throughout the course of treatment.
Corrective Jaw Surgery Changes Lives
Ease discomfort, improve your appearance, and live life on your terms with corrective jaw surgery in Austin, TX. When you’re ready to consider your options and learn what kind of jaw surgery you need to restore the form and function of your oral structures, seek out the care of a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the best possible result.
At Hill Country Oral Surgery, we understand that surgery is never an easy choice to make, but our oral surgeons have the experience, compassion, and technology to consistently deliver life-changing results. If you’re ready to start your surgical journey, you can call our office at 512-327-7233 or schedule a consultation online.
