The jaw joint is one of the most complicated parts of the body. If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. The jaw is essential not just for chewing, but also for speaking and other basic tasks that involve the mouth. Bones, cartilage, nerves, and muscles are all essential to the basic movements of this jaw joint, meaning that there’s a delicate balance between soft and hard tissues.
It’s this complexity that leads to a number of potential problems down the road for many people, however. Thankfully these issues can all be addressed thanks to our skilled Phoenix oral surgeons. One option that proves helpful for many patients suffering from serious jaw joint issues is orthognathic surgery. Let’s look at this briefly right now.
About Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is a term that refers to different kinds of corrective jaw surgery procedures. This kind of oral surgery will be able to target the upper jaw and the lower jaw as needed by the patient.
Types of Problems That Can Be Treated Through Corrective Jaw Surgery:
- Orthognathic surgery is a good treatment option to consider for the following conditions:
- Bruixism (teeth grinding)
- TMJ disroders
- Sleep apnea
- Chewing problems
- Speech impediments
- Poor facial alignment/appearance
- Issues with jaw prominence
Ideal Candidates for Corrective Jaw Surgery
The best candidates for this kind of facial surgery are people who are dealing with any of the above issues who are not ideal candidates for various non-surgical treatments. These patients should be in generally good health and have realistic expectations about the surgery and what it can achieve. It’s also imperative that patients follow our instructions for care to the letter to reduce the chances of complications and adverse side effects following surgery.
Our team of oral and facial surgeons in Phoenix and Tempe will assess each patient’s suitability for corrective jaw surgery and other options for care on an individual basis.
Is orthognathic surgery right for me?
In many cases, orthognathic surgery is a great option for people suffering from TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and other jaw joint issues. That said, ideally surgery should be used only when less invasive treatments have proven ineffective or are not applicable given the nature of the patient’s jaw joint problem. For instance, sometimes orthodontic treatment will be able to alleviate jaw problems in some patients without the need for corrective jaw surgery.
Other Oral and Facial Surgery Options to Consider
In addition to orthognathic surgery, we offer a number of other options for effective treatment of the face and jaw, including Phoenix tooth extractions and surgical placement of dental implants. We can discuss all of these matters with you in greater detail when you stop by our offices for a consultation.