Your Partners in Surgical Orthodontics
For some patients, braces or Invisalign® treatment is not always enough to correct certain orthodontic issues or concerns. In these cases, we may recommend orthodontic surgery alongside these treatment methods to improve facial balance, jaw position, or bite alignment.
Also called orthognathic surgery, surgical orthodontics is a type of corrective surgery that primarily addresses jaw and tooth alignment. Orthodontic surgery is usually performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, which is a doctor that specializes in facial and mouth procedures. There are many kinds of orthognathic surgeries, and your orthodontist will work to determine if surgery is needed and what kind of surgery may benefit you.
Most patients’ orthodontic concerns can be fixed with less invasive methods, such as braces or Invisalign. However, some patients with extreme crowding, overbites, underbites, gaps, or facial asymmetry may benefit from orthodontic surgery. Patients whose misaligned teeth pose a threat to their oral health are also considered good candidates for surgery.
If you have extremely misaligned teeth or jaws, or if your treatment with braces or Invisalign hasn’t succeeded, you may be a good candidate for orthodontic surgery. Our CT Braces orthodontists recommend surgery only when it is deemed necessary and on a case-by-case basis.
Orthodontic surgery can only be performed on jaws and teeth that have stopped developing. Jaws generally stop growing at 16 for females and 18 for males, though this is an average age and can differ from patient to patient.
Like any surgical procedure, there are some risks to undergoing orthognathic surgery. You are typically put under general anesthesia for surgery, which can affect various patients differently and must be closely monitored by your surgical team. There are also minor risks that come from the procedure itself, such as infection.
Fortunately, orthodontic surgery has been practiced for decades and has a low overall complication rate. Your orthodontist and surgeon will work together to ensure you receive the best possible care.
The orthodontists at CT Braces will work hand-in-hand with your orthodontic surgeon if surgery is determined to be necessary for your care. Often, your orthodontic treatment begins with braces or Invisalign before surgery is considered. In any case, CT Braces is your partner for orthognathic surgery. Our goal is to help you understand your options and make an informed decision about your care.
Our orthodontists are experts in partnering with local oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide you with the best of care. If you think you need orthodontic surgery, or if another provider has recommended orthodontic surgery for you, schedule your free consultation with CT Braces today. We’ll make sure you get the care you need with the attention you deserve.