Jaw Surgery or Orthodontics

Maintaining oral health can be achieved by flossing

, teeth brushing and regular visits to the dentist. Practicing these habits will help with oral and general health overall. In some cases however, no volume of diligent oral care will be able to correct various jaw and oral related problems. Orthodontic care and/or surgery may be needed in the cases where the abnormalities are severe.

An abnormality of the jaw is directly linked with the skeletal structure and includes any deformities. Often patients with jaw abnormalities will experience a disruption in routine activities making day to day life frustrating and uncomfortable. In order to remedy the problem various types of treatment are prescribed to the patient.

Usually the first path of treatment prescribed is orthodontics. Orthodontics is the least invasive and has a high success rate of correction with patients having a jaw abnormality. In most cases a regime of 1-2 years of utilising orthodontics is needed to adequately correct the problem. Orthodontics are more commonly known as braces; describing the interaction of brackets and wires that brace against jaw growth and movement in order to place it in a desired position.

After a patient has worn their braces for a specified amount of time and received multiple adjustments temporary mouth appliances may be given to maintain the jaw relocation. Following the removing of the braces, these temporary mouth pieces are usually prescribed for 6 month intervals depending on the physician's recommendation and severity of the case. It is up to the doctor's discretion as to the length of time necessary to wear the pieces depending on the severity of the case or the success of the orthodontic regiment.

Sometimes orthodontics cannot do the job, and surgery is needed.

Physicians are very careful in their approach to what is an invasive surgery of the teeth and jaw. Extensive planning sessions are essential in making a patient feel comfortable prior to surgery. During the sessions, topics such as: what to expect, recovery time and procedure details are explored in detail. Bite impressions are taken and often study models are created based on the patient in order to properly map the surgical procedure and allow the physician to 'perform the surgery' on the test model before performing on the patient.

In many offices, the use of digital technology has been introduced. By using digital technology a uniquely tailored treatment and recovery plan can be created for each patient. Due to the use of titanium plates and miniature screws, physicians have increased the strength and reliability of the surgery.

A patient can expect to be put under a general anesthetic while in surgery. The actual jaw of the patient is fractured and reset in the desired position in order to correct the abnormalities. A typical surgery time is 3 to 6 hours with an expected discharge after a week.

Having surgery for any reason is a difficult decision to make but jaw corrective surgery in conjunction with orthodontic care is a highly successful treatment for those suffering from jaw abnormalities. A patient's quality of life is elevated, appearance is improved and daily tasks are easier to execute after surgery. Each case is individual and different to the patient and treated as such by the physician. For some patients it may be possible to correct the problem without surgery and in others, surgery is necessary. Whatever the case may be, physicians will direct patients through the process and provide all necessary information to make an informed and educated decision regarding the options, risks and benefits of various oral treatments.

Jaw Surgery or Orthodontics

By: Hollis Wilder

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