When Is Jaw Surgery Needed With Orthodontic Treatment?
Jaw surgery is needed when a bite problem comes from the jaw bones themselves and moving the teeth alone can't fully correct it. In those cases, surgical orthodontics pairs tooth movement with a procedure that repositions the jaw, and an exam with our Iowa City and Coralville, IA orthodontist shows which type you have.
Here's what you need to know about jaw surgery and orthodontic care.
Why Braces Can't Always Fix the Bite
Braces and aligners move teeth within the jawbone. As Cleveland Clinic explains, itself.
When the upper and lower jaws are different sizes or out of line, straight teeth may still meet poorly. Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, moves the jaws into a better position so the teeth can fit together.
Signs Your Bite May Be a Jaw Problem
These signs can point to the jaw rather than the teeth:
- Difficulty chewing, biting or swallowing
- Chronic jaw pain, jaw joint pain or headaches
- An open bite, where the front teeth don't meet when you close
- Trouble closing your lips completely
- A receding chin or a protruding jaw
- Chronic mouth breathing or breathing problems during sleep
- Excessive wear on the teeth
Jaw joint pain often overlaps with TMJ problems, and orthodontic treatment for TMJ disorders often eases that pain without surgery.
Why Surgery Is a Last Resort
At Mergen Orthodontics, we recommend surgery only as a last resort. When orthodontic treatment alone can correct the bite, that comes first.
For children, early care can guide jaw growth while the bones are still developing. Our preventive orthodontic treatment focuses on that window, and when your child should start orthodontics covers the timing.
How Orthodontics and Surgery Work Together
Surgical orthodontics is a process, not a single appointment. First, braces line up the teeth so they will fit together once the jaws move.
Memorial Hermann notes that this may take several months to two years. After surgery, patients wear braces for several months to a year to fine-tune the bite.
Cleveland Clinic puts the whole process at two to three years. An performs the procedure, while the orthodontist manages tooth movement before and after.
Waiting for the Jaw to Finish Growing
Jaw surgery usually waits until facial growth is complete. Memorial Hermann places that around ages 15 to 16 for girls and 17 to 18 for boys.
That's why a growing child with a jaw problem is usually treated with orthodontics first.
What Recovery Looks Like
Cleveland Clinic says most people stay in the hospital for one to three days. Swelling and soreness usually ease within a week or two.
Most people return to their daily routine in three to four weeks, and initial healing takes about six weeks. Full healing can take several months or longer.
How Dr. Mergen Guides Surgical Cases
When surgery is part of the plan, Dr. Mergen partners with your oral surgeon and personally handles the orthodontic steps on either side of it. Digital X-rays and 3D imaging show him how your teeth and jaws relate.
He also co-authored published research on profile changes after lower jaw advancement surgery. Compare nonsurgical choices on our orthodontic treatment options page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can jaw surgery help with sleep apnea?
It can for some people. Cleveland Clinic lists obstructive sleep apnea among the conditions orthognathic surgery may treat, and breathing problems during sleep are one of the signs on our surgical orthodontics page.
Surgery isn't the only path, though. Dr. Mergen offers sleep apnea treatment for kids and adults, and an evaluation can show which approach fits your airway and bite.
Who performs the surgery, the orthodontist or an oral surgeon?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgery itself. The orthodontist prepares the teeth beforehand and finishes the bite afterward.
At Mergen Orthodontics, Dr. Mergen works closely with your oral surgeon and oversees the orthodontic steps on both sides of the procedure. The says the orthodontist and surgeon decide together whether surgery is right for you.
Will jaw surgery change how my face looks?
It often does, although appearance is not usually the main goal. Corrective jaw surgery is done to fix problems with chewing, speaking and breathing, but appearance may also improve significantly.
A receding chin or a jaw that juts forward often looks more balanced afterward. Your surgeon and orthodontist can show you what to expect for your own case before you decide.
What can you eat after jaw surgery?
Expect a liquid diet at first. Cleveland Clinic says many people drink liquids such as smoothies for the first few weeks while the jaw begins to heal.
Softer foods usually come next as healing progresses, and your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to chew normally. Stocking up on simple, nutritious drinks before surgery can make those first weeks easier.
Is TMJ pain a reason to consider jaw surgery?
Sometimes, but it is rarely the first step. Chronic jaw joint pain and TMJ pain are both on our list of reasons people look into surgical orthodontics.
Dr. Mergen first looks for ways to rebalance the teeth and bite to reduce strain on the jaw joints. Our TMJD treatment page explains how the right orthodontic plan can ease symptoms for many patients.
Schedule a Surgical Orthodontics Consultation
Not every bite problem needs surgery, and an exam shows what yours needs. Call our Iowa City office at (319) 688-0800 or our Coralville office at (319) 626-2142, or request an appointment online.
Dr. Mergen and our orthodontic team are happy to talk through surgical orthodontics and every alternative with you.