Orthognathic Surgery or Just Braces? How to Tell What Your Bite Needs
Misalignment results in more than just a misshapen smile—it also affects your oral health and self-confidence. While many bite issues can be resolved with orthodontic treatment, certain cases often require a combination of braces and jaw surgery to achieve optimal results. This comprehensive approach addresses both dental alignment and skeletal discrepancies, providing a long-term solution to complex misalignments.
In this article, we’ll explore braces with orthognathic surgery, when it’s necessary, its benefits, and key considerations.
Braces with Orthognathic Surgery: How Does It Work?
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is a procedure that realigns the jaw to address skeletal irregularities. This approach corrects severe bite misalignments that cannot be fixed by braces alone. Braces are used before, during, and after the surgery to ensure the teeth align correctly with the repositioned jaw. It is particularly beneficial for patients whose bite issues stem from both jaw structure as well as dental positioning.
When Is It Needed?
Braces with orthognathic surgery may be recommended for patients with:
Class II Skeletal (Jaw) Relationship
Class II Skeletal (Jaw) Relationships occur when the lower jaw is retruded or the upper jaw is protruded, resulting in an increased overjet (protruding upper front teeth). This condition often alters the facial profile, creating a less pronounced chin and may cause difficulty in chewing. In cases where the upper teeth are overly protruded, it can increase the risk of trauma injury to the upper incisor teeth.
Class III Skeletal (Jaw) Relationship
A Class III Skeletal (Jaw) Relationship is characterised by a protruded lower jaw or a retruded upper jaw that causes an underbite. It also results in a prominent jawline and may lead to uneven wear on the teeth, and difficulties with speech or chewing.
Open Bite
An open bite refers to a gap between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed. It is typically caused by skeletal issues or habits such as thumb-sucking. This misalignment impairs biting and chewing, can create speech impediments, and results in visible gaps that affect the smile aesthetics.
Asymmetric Skeletal Patterns
Asymmetric skeletal patterns occur when one side of the jaw develops differently than the other, leading to visible facial imbalances. This condition not only affects aesthetics but also compromises chewing function and can result in jaw discomfort or pain.