Table of contents
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Introduction
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What Is Teeth Straightening Surgery?
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Types of Jaw Surgery
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Who Is a Candidate?
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Why Do Some People Need Teeth Straightening Surgery?
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A More Confident Smile
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Enhanced Self-Esteem
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Expanded Diet Options
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Speech Improvement
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Enhanced Facial Appearance
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Conclusion
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FAQs
Introduction
Teeth straightening surgery, an option for individuals with imbalances between their upper and lower jaws, is known as orthognathic surgery. It involves moving one or both jawbones to realign the teeth and address problems with speaking, chewing, and biting. Before the procedure, braces are frequently required to be worn for at least 18 months.
What Is Teeth Straightening Surgery?
When we talk about teeth straightening surgery, we usually mean orthognathic surgery, a procedure that oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform to rectify severe misalignments and jaw discrepancies that cannot be adequately treated with orthodontic therapies alone. Braces and other orthodontic procedures are frequently utilized to cure minor to moderate tooth misalignments; however, surgery may be necessary if the problem involves substantial jaw misalignments or skeletal issues.
Orthognathic surgery is usually considered for conditions like:
- Underbite or Overbite: When the lower or upper jaw protrudes significantly, causing the teeth to misalign.
- Open Bite: A condition where there is a gap between the upper and lower front teeth even when the mouth is closed.
- Crossbite: Misalignment of the upper and lower jaws, causing some upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth.
- Facial Asymmetry: Irregularities in the size or position of the jaws, leading to facial imbalance.
- Severe Crowding: When there is not enough space in the jaw for the teeth to align properly.
The surgery involves repositioning the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both, to improve the overall alignment of the teeth and achieve a more balanced facial appearance. Before surgery, orthodontic treatment is often used to align the teeth as closely as possible.
Types of Jaw Surgery
It can take two to three years to surgically align the jaw and teeth. Following planning and consultation with a professional, a treatment plan is developed that incorporates one of the three types of jaw surgery for teeth straightening.
Types of teeth straightening surgeries include the following:
- Upper jaw orthognathic surgery
- Lower jaw orthognathic surgery
- Lower jaw chin surgery or genioplasty
Upper Jaw Orthognathic Surgery
Upper jaw surgery, or maxillary osteotomy, is appropriate for patients with bite issues that are caused by the placement of the upper jaw. These problems may include the following:
- Overbite
- Overjet
- Crossbite
- Open bite
The majority of the time, an incision from the gums to the jawbone will be made inside the mouth to execute the entire procedure, preventing facial scarring. Then, a minor saw cut is made to break the upper jawbone. The mandible can be repositioned once it has broken. Shaving and bone removal may be necessary in cases of open bite, which can be brought on by an excess of bone above the molars.
Lower Jaw Orthognathic Surgery
Also called mandibular osteotomy, this surgery involves making incisions in the lower jaw to move it into the correct position.
Lower jaw surgery is generally an easier process than upper jaw surgery, but it is still an involved procedure. It can be used to treat cases of receding or protruding lower jaw, so it may be used to correct underbite and overbite.
Lower jaw surgery sometimes includes the following:
- Plates and screws to hold the jaw in place
- Wiring the jaw shut during recovery
- Lip and chin numbness
- Rubber bands used to keep the jaw in place after surgery
Generally, there are three types of lower jaw surgeries:
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Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO) :
The lower jaw is moved forward with this surgery, while it can also be used to pull the jaw back. The jaw may not need to be wired shut following the procedure because plates and screws are utilized to ensure placement; however, numbness in the chin and lips could happen.
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Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy (IVRO) :
Typically, this procedure is performed to reposition the jaw. While numbness in the chin and lips is unlikely, the jaw might need to be wired shut for four to six weeks.
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Chin Genioplasty :
This is used to push forward a small or retreating chin and minimize a projecting chin. It can be done in conjunction with another lower jaw surgery or on its own. Through the oral canal, the surgeons can reach the required location. The altered chin position is maintained with the use of plates and screws.
Who Is a Candidate?
The best time to have orthognathic surgery is after your jaw stops growing. Growth usually stops sometime between the ages of 14 and 16 for females and between 17 and 21 for males.
You may choose to have orthognathic surgery to straighten your teeth if you meet any of these criteria:
- You have Class III open bite (severe malocclusion) due to misaligned jaws
- You want to enhance the shape of your face and jawline.
- You are aware of and prepared to cope with the risks of invasive treatment, such as postoperative pain.
- You have respiratory or airway obstruction, including obstructive sleep apnea.
Why Do Some People Need Teeth Straightening Surgery?
For those with severe misalignments, jaw discrepancies, or complicated orthodontic difficulties that are not properly treated with conventional therapies, teeth straightening surgery becomes necessary.
A More Confident Smile:
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Improved Aesthetics:
Improving the appearance of your smile is one of the main advantages of having teeth straightened. Teeth misalignment frequently causes people to feel self-conscious and reluctant to smile widely. Many report a noticeable change in the way their smiles look when these alignment problems are fixed.
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Increased Confidence:
Straightening your teeth can increase your confidence and sense of self-worth. Having greater self-assurance and comfort in the appearance of your teeth can have a good effect on social situations, professional partnerships, and personal relationships.
Enhanced Self-Esteem:
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Positive Self-Image:
Sometimes having misaligned teeth might worsen one's perception of oneself. Having surgery to straighten teeth can result in a more positive self-image. People's self-esteem may increase as a result of feeling more confident and less self-conscious about their appearance.
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Reduced Social Anxiety:
For some people, aesthetic concerns about their misaligned teeth might lead to social anxiety. By addressing these issues surgically, people can experience less social anxiety and interact with others more comfortably.
Expanded Diet Options:
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Improved Chewing Function:
The way the jaws meet can be impacted by misaligned teeth, which can make it difficult to chew some foods. Through surgical alignment correction, people may benefit from better chewing function and be able to eat a greater range of foods.
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Better Nutritional Intake:
Appropriate chewing is essential for healthy digestion and nutrition absorption. Better dental health can help people maintain a more nutritious and well-balanced diet, which is something that can be achieved with teeth straightening surgery.
Speech Improvement:
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Articulation Enhancement:
Teeth misalignment can occasionally affect speech, making it harder to pronounce some consonants. Better speech and improved articulation can result from orthodontic surgery to realign the jaws.
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Communication Confidence:
Confident and unambiguous speaking is necessary for efficient communication. Improved speech patterns can result from teeth straightening surgery, which also helps to lessen any anxiety or frustration associated with speech issues.
Enhanced Facial Appearance:
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Facial Harmony:
An imbalance or asymmetry in the face can be caused by misalignments in the jaws. These problems are intended to be resolved through orthodontic surgery, giving the appearance of a more balanced and harmonic face.
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Profile Improvement:
Orthognathic surgery can sometimes have a good effect on the profile, improving the overall appearance of the face, especially when treating overbites or underbites.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, orthognathic surgery, often known as teeth straightening surgery, is a life-changing treatment for people with severe misalignments and jaw problems. In addition to improving appearance, it strengthens speech, increases confidence, and improves oral function. Knowing the many kinds of jaw surgery emphasizes the all-encompassing strategy needed to achieve balanced smiles. For patients with complicated orthodontic issues that conventional treatments might not be able to fully treat, orthodontic surgery is an essential alternative that can provide life-changing results for a self-assured and properly aligned smile.
FAQs
1. Why do some need teeth straightening surgery?
Teeth straightening surgery is essential for severe misalignments, jaw discrepancies, or complex orthodontic issues not addressed by traditional treatments.
2. What's the goal of teeth straightening surgery?
The goal is a confident smile, correcting misalignments, improving aesthetics, and addressing speaking, chewing, and biting issues.
3. What conditions warrant orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery is considered for underbite, overbite, open bite, crossbite, facial asymmetry, and severe crowding when traditional orthodontics fall short.
4. What are the types of teeth straightening surgeries?
The main types include upper jaw orthognathic surgery, lower jaw orthognathic surgery, and lower jaw chin surgery or genioplasty, each targeting specific alignment issues.
5. Who is a candidate for orthognathic surgery?
Candidates are those with stopped jaw growth (usually ages 14-21), seeking solutions for severe misalignments, and facial enhancement, and ready to manage postoperative risks or airway obstructions.
