Surgical Orthodontics
Orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontic treatment for jaw correction
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Just as orthodontics repositions teeth, surgical orthodontics (also known as orthognathic surgery) corrects jaw irregularities to improve the patient's ability to chew, speak, and breathe. It also improves facial appearance. In other words, surgical orthodontics straightens your jaw.
Moving the jaws also moves the teeth, so braces are always applied in conjunction with jaw correction. This helps to make sure teeth are in their proper positions after surgery.
Why Consider Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics addresses problems that braces alone cannot fix
Severe Jaw Misalignment
When the upper and lower jaws don't fit together properly, causing difficulty with chewing, speaking, or breathing that cannot be corrected with braces alone.
Facial Aesthetics
Improving facial balance and appearance when jaw position significantly affects facial structure and profile.
Functional Problems
Addressing issues with jaw joint pain (TMJ), excessive wear on teeth, difficulty swallowing, or chronic mouth breathing.
Sleep & Breathing
Correcting jaw position can improve airway space, helping with sleep apnea and breathing difficulties.
Who Needs Surgical Orthodontics?
Your orthodontist will consider surgical orthodontic treatment for non-growing adult patients with improper bites as well as those concerned with facial aesthetics. Jaw growth is usually finished by age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. All growth must be completed before jaw surgery can be performed. However, the pre-surgical tooth movements can begin one to two years prior to these ages.
Surgical Orthodontics May Be Recommended For:
How Does Surgical Orthodontics Work?
A coordinated approach between orthodontics and surgery
01
Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
You'll wear braces for 6-18 months before surgery to align your teeth within each jaw. During this phase, your bite may actually look worse—this is normal. The teeth are being positioned so they'll fit perfectly once the jaws are surgically moved.
02
Surgical Planning
Dr. Oliver works closely with an oral surgeon to plan your procedure. Digital imaging and 3D models help determine exactly how your jaws will be repositioned for optimal function and aesthetics.
03
The Surgery
Surgery is performed in a hospital by an oral surgeon and typically takes several hours. The jawbone is carefully repositioned—moved forward, backward, raised, or lowered as needed. In some cases, bone may be added or removed to achieve proper alignment.
04
Recovery & Healing
Most patients return to school or work within two weeks. Complete jaw healing takes 4-8 weeks. During this time, your diet will be modified and activity restricted as directed by your surgical team.
05
Post-Surgical Orthodontics
Once your jaws have healed, Dr. Oliver will fine-tune your bite with continued orthodontic treatment. Braces are typically removed 6-12 months after surgery, followed by retainers to maintain your results.
What Happens During Surgery?
Surgery is performed in the hospital with an oral surgeon, and can take several hours, depending on the amount and type of surgery needed.
Lower Jaw Surgery: The jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion moved forward or backward, as needed.
Upper Jaw Surgery: The jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered.
Treatment Timeline
Understanding the phases of surgical orthodontic treatment
Pre-Surgical Braces
Teeth are aligned within each jaw in preparation for surgery
6-18 months
Orthognathic Surgery
Jaws are surgically repositioned by an oral surgeon
1 day (hospital)
Initial Recovery
Return to work/school with activity restrictions
2 weeks
Jaw Healing
Bones heal in their new positions
4-8 weeks
Post-Surgical Braces
Final bite refinement and orthodontic finishing
6-12 months
Retainers
Maintain your results long-term
Ongoing
Total Treatment Time
From start to finish, surgical orthodontic treatment typically takes 18-36 months, including pre-surgical orthodontics, surgery, healing, and post-surgical finishing. Your specific timeline will depend on your case complexity.
Dentofacial Orthopedics
You may have noticed that our doctor specializes in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are puzzled by the "dentofacial orthopedics" portion of the title. We can explain!
Understanding the Specialty
Every orthodontist starts out in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Others choose to pursue a dental specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two- to three-year residency program. There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association.
One of the nine specialties is "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." You probably know that an orthodontist straightens teeth. Indeed, "ortho" comes from the Greek for "straight" or "correct," and "dontic" from the Greek for "teeth." But what about dentofacial orthopedics?
The Difference Between Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
"Dentofacial" is "teeth" plus "face," while "ortho" again means "straight," and "pedic" is from the Greek for "child."
Essentially, orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, and dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood.
In both cases, appliances are frequently used—the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances, like headgear and expanders, depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes, orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are utilized at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics!
Comprehensive Care
With skills in both areas, the doctor can diagnose any misalignments in the teeth, jaw, and facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.
Is Surgical Orthodontics Right for You?
Surgical orthodontics is a significant commitment, but for patients with severe jaw discrepancies, it can be life-changing. Dr. Oliver will evaluate your jaw relationship, facial structure, and orthodontic needs to determine if surgery should be considered. If so, he'll coordinate your care with a trusted oral surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.
Questions About Surgical Orthodontics?
We'll help you understand if surgical treatment is the right option for your case