Orthognathic Surgery
Brookfield, IL
 Orthognathic surgery sure sounds like something exotic and complicated, but really it is just the technical term for jaw surgery. Patients need this procedure for a variety of reasons, but no matter what your unique problem is, Brookfield Oral Surgery can help you.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery is a corrective procedure to fix a myriad of different jaw problems. Since orthognathic surgery can be used to remedy a number of conditions, every operation is slightly different. It may be used to fix a birth defect, repair a recent injury, or correct a growth problem. Eating, talking, and even breathing can all be improved by undergoing orthognathic surgery.
Can Orthognathic Surgery Benefit You?
If you either currently have orthodontic appliances such as braces or Invisalign®, or have had them in the past, and your problems continue to persist, then orthognathic surgery might be able to help you. Even if you have not ever had any orthodontics, orthognathic surgery can still make a big difference if you regularly have problems talking and swallowing, suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, deal with difficulties biting and chewing, or have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Orthognathic surgery can even be used to improve facial asymmetries and defects, such as a receding chin, underbite, protruding jaw, and others. Failing to get orthognathic surgery to treat a condition may mean that it continues to worsen, leading to greater difficulties eating, talking, and swallowing, and making you more prone to gum disease and tooth decay.
How You Can Prepare for Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is almost always part of a much larger, longer treatment process, one that often involves wearing orthodontics both before the procedure and afterwards. You might also need crowns, and there will be extensive exams and scans to ensure that we have a complete, ultra-precise idea of what your jaw and the surrounding areas look like. This means that the full corrective process might be one that lasts several years, which is important to keep in mind before embarking. Despite the length, you can expect successful orthognathic surgery to make a dramatic difference in your quality of life.
What You Can Expect When Getting Orthognathic Surgery
The surgery itself is more extensive than most dental operations, and while it will be performed by our oral surgeon, is done in the hospital. You will receive general anesthesia and will experience numbness afterwards. You can expect to stay for multiple days while convalescing, though most stays are only about half a week. During the operation, the surgeon will delicately open the bone, usually from inside your mouth to prevent scarring, and move the bone to the correct location. The bone is then fixed in place with special screws, plates, and wires. Full recovery will take several weeks.
Want to Learn More?
For patients dealing with jaw issues, orthognathic surgery can be a truly life-changing operation. If you want to learn more about how this procedure might be able to benefit you, then call Brookfield Oral Surgery today at 708-854-0808 to schedule a consultation. |
