Any adult who had to get braces as a child will probably remember a similar thought immediately following the removal of the treatment, “Thank goodness I don’t have to do that again.” The reality is that some people may need to continue orthodontic treatment in the later years of their life. There are other people who never receive orthodontic care and continue to grow up with oral health issues.
When this is the case, people may need multiple types of orthodontic treatment to achieve a healthy and properly-aligned smile. We can use surgical orthodontics to help treat one’s bite alignment and jaw position. We may also follow the surgery with other orthodontic teeth straightening techniques. While surgery is not always the first option, it can be incredibly effective for patients.
If you have misaligned teeth or jaw issues, then our surgical orthodontics may be the treatment to help you.
One of the main reasons for surgical orthodontics is since the teeth stop growing after the permanent teeth emerge. While this may not occur until one’s teen or young adult years, there is no other set of teeth to grow in. The jaw will also cease growing at a certain point. Replacement artificial teeth will be the only other way to replace adult teeth.
Due to that, people need to seek professional orthodontic surgery for certain forms of treatment. With orthodontic surgery, we can help treat issues with:
It is important to note that orthodontic surgery will only be one part of the entire treatment process. In many cases, the patient will begin orthodontic treatment before and after the surgery. The surgery itself may not be enough to help properly align the teeth and jaws. In many cases, the surgery will focus on the jaw while the orthodontic treatment will help to align the teeth.
The jaw is the foundation for the teeth. Without a foundation in the proper alignment, the teeth may not remain in proper alignment. However, the surgery can help the teeth begin to shift into the proper position. Following the surgery, we will then continue with an orthodontic treatment to shift the teeth the rest of the way.
We welcome any and all questions about the various types of surgery, treatment plans and customization that patients may have. Here are a few questions about orthodontic surgery and our answers to them.
How long will the Surgery Take?
The surgery can take several hours, depending on the condition of the patient’s jaw and what we need to do. The patient will be asleep for the procedure under general anesthesia. Following the procedure, we may have the patient stay in a hospital for several days if necessary.
What are the benefits to Straighter Teeth?
While people may assume straight teeth are only for appearance, the reality is that they also provide other benefits, including:
Straight teeth create fewer gaps or difficult-to-reach places that can trap a bit of food or plaque. Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque can continue to form in these areas and cause an infection to form.
How long will the Recovery Process take after the Surgery?
The recovery from the surgery can take up to six weeks to completely heal. However, the soreness will typically fade a few days after the surgery. Following the procedure, we will go over what the patient can eat, any oral hygiene steps they need to take, medications to take and more.
Will I need to make any Follow-up Appointments After?
Yes. Following orthodontic surgery, we will need to continue with the treatment plan. Regardless of the next step toward straighter teeth in the patient’s treatment plan, it is important to continue the plan as soon as possible.
What should I do if I feel pain after the Surgery?
If you continue to feel pain beyond mild soreness following surgery, then give us a call as soon as possible. While there may be soreness, intense pain or bleeding can be the sign of something much more serious. We will need to examine the patient and determine the most effective course of action.
If you are interested in surgical orthodontics, our team has the knowledge and tools necessary to help you receive the care you need.
Kathleen C. Hwang Orthodontics is located at
925 W Foothill Blvd Ste A
Monrovia, CA
91016