Surgical Orthodontics in Panorama City, CA | Orthognathic Surgeon

Our Orthognathic Jaw Surgery Process in Panorama City, CA

1. Initial Consultation: Our surgical orthodontics process begins with a comprehensive consultation. During this visit, our orthodontist evaluates your jaw alignment and bite issues and takes detailed records.

2. Orthodontic Preparation: You will undergo orthodontic treatment to align your teeth and prepare your bite for surgery. This phase ensures your teeth are in the optimal position for surgery.

3. Surgical Planning: Our local orthodontist collaborates with a surgeon to create a personalized surgical plan. 

4. Surgery: The corrective jaw surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon repositions the jaws using specialized techniques to achieve the desired alignment and improve function.

5. Recovery: A strict recovery plan is followed post-surgery, including a liquid diet and limited physical activity. 

6. Orthodontic Follow-Up: After recovery, you continue orthodontic treatment to fine-tune your bite and ensure the best possible alignment. 

Surgical orthodontics improves bite function and aesthetics and offers long-term, stable results, enhancing overall quality of life. This process ensures a successful outcome, combining expert orthodontic care with advanced surgical techniques.

Call (818) 510-3440 for surgical orthodontics in Panorama City, CA. 

Jaw Surgery Healing Process

These tips will help with your jaw surgery healing process:

Post-Surgery Care: After jaw surgery, keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and apply ice packs to your face in intervals of 10 minutes to 5 minutes off. Use prescribed pain medication as directed.

Nutrition and Hydration: Maintaining proper nutrition is crucial. Opt for liquid or blended foods like soups. Avoid straws to prevent incision stress; use a glass or sippy cup instead. Ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

Oral Hygiene: Keep your mouth clean. Use a baby toothbrush if you can’t fully open your jaw, and follow your surgeon's instructions for using fluoride rinses or oral irrigators. Aim to resume normal brushing and flossing as soon as possible.

Activity and Rest: Engage in light activities but avoid strenuous exercises. Ensure you get plenty of rest to aid recovery.

When to Call Your Surgeon: Contact your surgeon if you experience severe bleeding, uncontrollable pain, persistent nausea, worsening swelling after four days, breathing difficulties, or a fever over 100.4°F.

Call (818) 510-3440 to schedule a free consultation in Panorama City, CA. 

Orthodontic Jaw Surgery Services in Panorama City 

Double Jaw Orthognathic Surgery

• Double jaw reconstruction surgery: Repositions upper and lower jaws to improve function and aesthetics.

• Double jaw surgery asymmetry: Corrects facial asymmetry by realigning the jaws.

• Double jaw surgery for overbite: Adjusts the jaw positions to correct severe overbites.

• Double jaw surgery for sleep apnea: Repositions the jaws to improve airway function and reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

• Double jaw surgery for underbite: Aligns the jaws to correct underbites.

• Double jaw surgery open bite: Closes gaps between upper and lower teeth that do not touch.

Upper Jaw Surgery

• Corrective upper jaw surgery: Modifies the upper jaw's position to enhance bite and facial harmony.

• Upper jaw correction: Aligns the upper jaw for better bite and appearance.

• Upper jaw reconstruction surgery: Rebuilds and repositions the upper jaw to correct deformities.

• Upper jaw surgery for overbite: Adjusts the upper jaw to fix severe overbites.

• Upper jaw surgery for underbite: Realigns the upper jaw to correct underbites.

• Upper jaw surgery open bite: Corrects gaps where upper teeth do not meet lower teeth.

Lower Jaw Surgery

• Lower jaw correction: Adjusts the lower jaw for improved bite alignment.

• Lower jaw forward surgery: Moves the lower jaw forward to correct receding jaw issues.

• Lower jaw protrusion surgery: Reduces protruding lower jaws to enhance facial balance.

• Lower jaw realignment surgery: Aligns the lower jaw to correct bite issues.

• Lower jaw reconstruction surgery: Reconstructs the lower jaw to correct deformities and improve function.

Call (818) 510-3440 to schedule a free consultation in Panorama City, CA. 

Signs and Reasons to Get Jaw Surgery 

Orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery, is often necessary for patients with severe jaw misalignments or other skeletal abnormalities that cannot be corrected with orthodontic treatment alone. Here are some signs and reasons indicating the need for jaw surgery:

Signs Indicating the Need for Jaw Surgery

• Misaligned Jaw: Noticeable discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws, such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites, can affect both function and appearance.

• Difficulty Chewing or Biting: Problems with the alignment of the jaws can make it hard to chew food properly, leading to digestive issues and nutritional deficiencies.

• Speech Problems: Misaligned jaws can interfere with the ability to speak clearly, causing speech impediments.

• Chronic Jaw or TMJ Pain: Persistent pain in the jaw joint or muscles around the jaw can be a sign of misalignment that may require surgical correction.

• Sleep Apnea: Severe jaw misalignments can obstruct airways, contributing to sleep apnea and other breathing problems.

• Facial Asymmetry: Visible imbalances in facial appearance, such as an unbalanced jawline or asymmetrical facial features.

Reasons to Undergo Jaw Surgery

• Improved Oral Functionality: Correcting jaw alignment can enhance the ability to chew, bite, and speak properly, improving overall quality of life.

• Aesthetic Enhancements: Jaw surgery can significantly improve facial appearance, boosting self-esteem and confidence.

• Alleviation of Pain: Surgery can relieve chronic jaw pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.

• Better Oral Health: Proper jaw alignment helps maintain healthy teeth and gums by distributing biting forces evenly.

• Enhanced Breathing: Jaw surgery can open up airways, reducing or eliminating issues like sleep apnea.

Orthognathic surgery requires careful planning and collaboration between an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If you exhibit any of these signs or have these reasons, consulting with our orthodontic specialist will help determine if jaw surgery is the right option.

Call (818) 510-3440 for surgical orthodontics in Panorama City, CA. 

Different Types of Jaw Surgeries 

Jaw surgeries, or orthognathic surgeries, are corrective procedures designed to fix misalignments of the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both. These surgeries can address various functional and aesthetic issues, improving bite, speech, and overall facial balance.

Maxillary Osteotomy (Upper Jaw Surgery)

Maxillary osteotomy is performed to correct upper jaw issues, such as an overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite. This surgery involves cutting the upper jaw, moving it into the desired position, and securing it with plates and screws. It helps improve bite alignment, facial symmetry, and sometimes even breathing issues like sleep apnea.

Mandibular Osteotomy (Lower Jaw Surgery)

Mandibular osteotomy corrects lower jaw misalignments, including underbite, overbite, or jaw protrusion. The procedure involves making incisions in the lower jaw, repositioning it, and securing it. This surgery can enhance chewing efficiency, speech clarity, and facial harmony.

Bimaxillary Osteotomy (Double Jaw Surgery)

Bimaxillary osteotomy addresses problems involving both the upper and lower jaws. It often corrects severe facial asymmetries, bite issues, and functional problems such as obstructive sleep apnea. This comprehensive procedure repositions both jaws, providing balanced facial aesthetics and improved jaw function.

Orthognathic surgery is a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination between orthodontists and oral surgeons. Each type of jaw surgery aims to correct specific issues, enhancing the patient's functionality and aesthetics.

Call (818) 510-3440 for orthognathic surgeries in Panorama City, CA. 

Jaw Surgery for Misalignment

Jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is a corrective procedure for jaw misalignment that affects bite, speech, and appearance. Misalignment can be congenital or result from injury. Surgery involves repositioning the jaws to improve function and aesthetics, often preceded and followed by orthodontic treatment.

Jaw Surgery for Overjet

Overjet surgery corrects excessive horizontal protrusion of the upper teeth over the lower teeth, which can impair speech and eating. The procedure involves moving the upper or lower jaw backward to achieve proper alignment and improve dental function.

Jaw Surgery for Symmetry

Jaw surgery for symmetry addresses facial asymmetry caused by uneven jaw growth or injury. This procedure involves repositioning the upper, lower, or jaws to create a balanced facial appearance. Improved symmetry enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the jaw.

Jaw Surgery for Overbite

Overbite correction surgery addresses the excessive vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth. This condition can cause wear on teeth and jaw pain. The surgery repositions the upper or lower jaw to correct the bite, improving chewing and reducing dental issues.

Jaw Surgery for Underbite

Underbite surgery corrects a condition in which the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth. This can affect chewing and speaking and cause facial imbalance. The surgery involves moving the lower jaw backward or the upper jaw forward to align the teeth properly.

Jaw Surgery for Crossbite

Crossbite surgery corrects a misalignment where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This can lead to tooth wear and jaw pain. The procedure repositions the upper or lower jaw to ensure proper alignment and function of the teeth.

Jaw Surgery for Crooked Jaw

Crooked jaw surgery corrects an uneven or misaligned jaw, affecting facial appearance and function. This surgery involves repositioning the jawbones to align them correctly, which improves bite, speech, and overall facial symmetry.

Call (818) 510-3440 for orthognathic surgeries in Panorama City, CA. 

What Are the Risks Associated With Orthognathic Surgery?

Here are several risks associated with orthognathic surgery:

• Infection: Postoperative infections can include cellulitis, abscesses, and osteomyelitis, though these are generally rare due to modern surgical techniques and antibiotics.

• Nerve Damage: Temporary or permanent nerve injury can occur, leading to numbness in areas such as the lower lip, chin, or cheek.

• Bleeding: Severe bleeding may occur if major blood vessels are damaged during surgery, requiring immediate medical intervention.

• Relapse: There is a risk that the jaw may move back to its original position, requiring further corrective procedures.

• Tooth Injury: Teeth can be damaged during surgery, potentially requiring further dental treatment.

• Malocclusion: The bite may not align properly post-surgery, necessitating additional orthodontic treatment.

• Scarring: Visible scars can develop, especially if external incisions are made.

• Sinus Problems: Surgery involving the upper jaw can lead to sinus issues, including infection or blockage.

• Difficulty Eating and Speaking: Post-surgery swelling and changes in jaw alignment can temporarily impact eating and speaking abilities.

• Psychological Impact: The physical changes and recovery process can affect mental health, potentially causing anxiety or depression.

• Breathing Problems: Postoperative swelling can cause temporary breathing difficulties, particularly if the airway is affected.

Understanding these risks helps in making an informed decision about undergoing orthognathic surgery.