Orthognathic Surgery – Have Questions?

Sometimes bite discrepancies are too large to fix via tooth movement alone. There is often an incompatibility of the jawbones with one another or the jawbone’s relationship to the cranial base.  In order to fix these issues, orthodontics is utilized to prepare the jaws for a surgical procedure or procedures that will help to establish both jawbone compatibility and bite correction.  Both pre-surgical orthodontic preparation and post-surgical orthodontic finishing are essential to the long-term stability and success of treatment.  Dr. Danielle works closely with the patient’s dental team to develop the most appropriate surgical & orthodontic treatment plan.

Jaw discrepancies can happen to anyone, both adolescents and adults. In adolescents, if we are able to correct the bite discrepancy early on (age 7-9), orthognathic surgery may be avoided.  Sometimes, however, the discrepancy of the bones/skeleton is just too much to correct without surgery.  In adults, since we lack growth, a jawbone discrepancy will warrant surgery. This will be discussed in detail at your consultation appointment.

Here is an example of before & after jaw surgery to harmonize both the jawbones & the bite: