Frequently Asked Questions

Orthognathic surgery

What is orthognathic surgery?: Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is a treatment that re-aligns the bones of the upper and lower jaw. It helps resolve deformities such as severe over- or underbites that cannot be corrected by braces alone.
What kind of issues does orthognathic surgery resolve?: - Difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing
- Speech problems
- Chronic jaw or TMJ pain
- Open bite
- Protruding jaw
- Underbite
- Breathing problems
What does the treatment involve?: First, your oral surgeon will take X-rays and make models of your teeth to judge what kind of procedure is necessary. Braces may be used before the surgery to align the teeth. Once the teeth are properly aligned, your orthognathic surgeon will align the jaws and may adjust the chin to compensate for facial imbalances.
Are there any side effects?: If you have upper jaw surgery, your nose and sinuses may be congested from several days to several weeks after surgery. Additionally, the nerves in your jaws can become temporarily irritated or disrupted, causing a numb or tingling feeling.