In some cases, orthodontic treatment cannot fix jaw problems on its own. Certain conditions can be severe or impossible to correct with orthodontic equipment. When this is the case, orthodontic surgery is required to ensure a healthy jaw alignment and correct jaw function.
What is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is a form of corrective jaw surgery that includes aligning and adjusting the jaw to correct misalignment. The surgery will adjust the position of the jaw so that tools such as braces are more effective.
Surgery is based on an individual’s symptoms, facial structure, and facial growth patterns.
Who Needs Orthodontic Surgery?
A professional orthodontist determines if surgery is needed. Orthodontic treatments are sometimes done first. Even for severe cases, orthodontic treatment is useful before surgery. Orthodontic surgery helps correct severe problems, so they have a chance to heal or grow straight and healthy again.
Surgery is often reserved for adults rather than children because all of their teeth are fully developed. The surgery alone is unlikely to fully correct the problem. Additional orthodontic treatment will be required afterward.
What to Expect from Surgical Orthodontics?
Getting jaw surgery will undoubtedly cause some anxiety. However, our team will make the operation as stress-free as possible. Before you meet with the surgeon, we will schedule a review appointment so that we can review your case and discuss the various treatment options with you.
During the consultation, we discuss various treatment options available to you and help you decide on an appropriate option. We take a case history from you and examine your teeth and xrays thoroughly. It is possible that you may need to be referred to an oral surgeon depending on the type of surgery needed. This is not uncommon in orthodontics.
The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.
If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.
