Sometimes, malocclusion (a misaligned bite) can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. However, there are other times when jaw surgery is necessary. No one likes the idea of any kind of surgery. However, if the benefits of the outcome outweigh the short-term inconveniences, then jaw surgery may be the best solution. For jaw surgery in Cambridge, OH, more residents trust Dr. Jeff Lee at Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery.
Also called orthognathic surgery, jaw surgery is performed to realign the teeth and jaws so they perform better and you look better. The benefits of jaw surgery in Cambridge include:
- Improve biting and chewing
- Reduce abnormal wear and tear on teeth
- Improve the appearance of deficient chins, overbites, underbites and crossbites
- Correct a facial imbalance
- Reduce the side effects of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ
- Improve the appearance of a smile that shows too much gum tissue or one where the lips cover too much of the teeth
- Correct facial injuries or abnormalities
- Relieve sleep apnea
What You Can Expect with Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery is performed in a hospital and you should plan on spending one or two nights there. Depending on the type of jaw surgery you have, the remainder of your recovery will happen at home over three to six weeks.
Like almost any other oral surgery in Cambridge, jaw surgery is usually performed from inside your mouth. This means that you do not have to be concerned about scars on your chin, jaw, or around your mouth.
Prior to your surgical appointment, Dr. Lee plans the surgery down to the last detail. Cuts are made in your jawbones, and they are then moved into the correct position. With the jaws in proper alignment, Dr. Lee secures the bones with screws and bone plates.
In some instances, we may need to perform a bone graft. For this, bone is taken from your hip, leg or rib and is secured in placed with temporary wires.
In conjunction with the surgery, an orthodontist will likely need to place braces on your teeth to level and align them. These are usually put on your teeth anywhere from nine to 18 months before your surgery. Once you’ve healed from surgery, the orthodontist finishes the alignment of your teeth and the braces are removed. The entire process including braces and surgery usually takes one to two years—a short time for a lifetime of good oral health and an attractive smile.
Call Our Office Today
If you’ve Googled, “oral surgeon near me,” then you’ve found him here at Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery. Dr. Lee has offices in Cambridge and Marietta, OH.