CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERY
As an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Jenkins uses corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, to correct a wide variety of skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of teeth and jaws. This can help improve chewing, biting, speech, and breathing. While corrective jaw surgery is primarily used to correct function, it can provide a dramatic improvement to your facial esthetics.
What is corrective jaw surgery?
The majority of the time, corrective jaw surgery involves moving your upper jaw, lower jaw, or chin to the most correct and harmonious position relative to your face and skull. It brings the teeth into proper occlusion, while balancing facial proportions.
Difficulties in biting or chewing food, difficulties in speech, under bite, over bite, open bite, recessed chin, protruding jaw, sleep apnea, chronic TMJ pain, abnormal and excessive wear of the teeth, facial injury or birth defects, unbalanced facial appearance, asymmetric facial appearance, chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth, facial injury or birth defects.
Am I a candidate for corrective jaw surgery?
If you have a misalignment of one or both jaws, or your bite is off, you may be a candidate for orthognathic surgery. Dr. Jenkins will work with your orthodontist, and general dentist to determine the correct treatment plan for you.
What is the process before, during, and after surgery?
Before surgery most patients require orthodontic therapy. You may have to be in braces from 6 to 24 months before your teeth are in correct position to proceed with surgery. Your orthodontist will make most of the major tooth movements before your surgery date. The surgery is then completed under general anesthesia, in a hospital or surgery center. The surgery is typically 2 – 4 hours. Dr. Jenkins uses advanced surgical techniques in order to place all the incisions inside your mouth and to ensure that you will not have to be “wired shut” after your surgery. You will stay in the hospital or recovery center for one day. Most patients are able to return to work or school after 10-14 days. The initial healing period is about 6-8 weeks, until your jaws are strong enough for a regular diet. After your surgery, your orthodontist will fine-tune your bite, which usually requires about 6 months. After your braces are finished you will be able to enjoy a correct bite, correct function, and correct facial esthetics for an improved quality of life.
Our office is located in Provo. We also service the following cities and their surrounding areas: