Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery used to treat and correct irregularities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. This type of surgery can be used to correct facial deformities, or to help improve breathing, speaking, or chewing. Let’s take a look at what orthognathic surgery is and how it can be beneficial for those who need it.

What Does Orthognathic Surgery Involve?

Orthognathic surgery involves making changes to the jawbones. This could involve relocating them from their current position in order to better align with the teeth, as well as reshaping them if needed. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require more than one procedure in order to achieve desired results.

Orthognathic surgery generally requires hospitalization and can involve general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Aftercare typically includes pain-relieving medication and following postoperative instructions given by your surgeon. In some cases, additional procedures may be necessary such as braces or dental implants in order to achieve optimal results.

Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery

The primary goal of orthognathic surgery is to improve function—such as being able to chew properly and speak clearly—and appearance. Many patients have reported feeling more confident about their appearance after having orthognathic surgery due to improved facial symmetry and aesthetics that come with it. Additionally, this type of procedure can reduce TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain by correcting any misalignment between the jawbones that could cause discomfort when chewing or speaking.

Conclusion

Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery designed for those who suffer from abnormalities involving their facial structure such as misaligned jaws and teeth, difficulty speaking or breathing, or TMJ pain caused by misalignment between the jawbones. If you think you might benefit from this type of procedure, make sure you consult an experienced maxillofacial surgeon who will evaluate your case individually in order to determine whether orthognathic surgery is right for you. With proper care before and after the procedure, orthognathic surgery can provide many benefits including improved functionality such as better speech and chewing ability along with increased confidence due to improved facial aesthetics.