The answer to the question in the title is technically “yes” but practically speaking, “not usually.” Surgical orthodontics is not usually performed on small children for a few reasons. While children tend to heal faster than adults, it is important that the jaw has stopped growing in order to get the best results from the surgery. Children who are in their late teens may be candidates for surgical orthodontics at which time they are more like adults, medically, if not legally.
What is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) is performed on those who would benefit from surgical intervention on the jaw bones to aid in realignment of the jaw and teeth. Sometimes classic orthodontic treatment is not enough to fix a misaligned jaw.
When jaw bones are too short or too long or crooked, a surgical intervention may be the best course of action in addition to traditional orthodontic treatment. Orthognathic surgery can also have a big impact on facial aesthetics at the same time it helps with straightening the teeth and jaw.
Jaws and teeth that are misaligned can cause headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty eating and chewing. Surgical orthodontics can make a critical difference in the patient’s quality of life, which is why it is not uncommon and has significantly evolved in the last 20 years.
This type of surgery is usually performed by a specialist, an oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon or plastic surgeon under some type of anaesthesia. It is very common for an orthodontist to work with one of these specialists in the care of patients needing complex orthodontic treatment.
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.
