Surgical Orthodontics Reading, MA

Even Severe Bite Issues Can Be Resolved Through Surgical Orthodontics

Many adults suffer from tooth and jaw issues that fail to be resolved through orthodontics alone. Sometimes, they’ve already worn braces in the past that didn’t correct the problem, other times they were told there was just nothing that could be done.

Fortunately, today’s technology and groundbreaking surgical techniques allow nearly all jaw and tooth misalignments to be corrected through the application of surgical orthodontics.

Who Needs Surgical Orthodontics?

Typically, surgical orthodontics is for adult patients with jaw and tooth misalignment whose jaws have stopped growing. Jaw misalignment can be due to genetics, injury, birth defects, or environmental causes. Sometimes, individuals with high-impact injuries, such as those sustained in car accidents, require surgical orthodontics to restore proper jaw and tooth function.

Conditions that can be corrected using surgical orthodontics include:

• Temporomandibular joint pain and headaches (TMJ)
• Difficulty chewing or eating
• Open bite (a space between upper and lower teeth when the mouth is fully closed)
• Birth defects
• Protruding jaw
• Receding jaw or chin
• Sleep apnea
• Jaw or facial injuries
• Asymmetrical facial appearance
• Mouth breathing

Surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who will work in collaboration with your orthodontist.

What Is the Purpose of Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics combines orthognathic surgery — surgery to correct jaw position — with orthodontic treatment to resolve problems that affect a patient’s ability to chew, bite, and speak. When the upper and lower jaws don’t meet properly, both natural function and aesthetics are impaired.

Surgical orthodontics can fix abnormalities that cannot be managed with orthodontics alone.

Which Comes First — Surgery or Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics is centered around the needs and goals of the individual patient. Your orthodontist will assess your teeth and discuss treatment goals. Depending on the situation, you may begin with orthodontics first, then have surgery. Some cases require orthodontia after surgery to fine-tune results.

Why Choose Surgical Orthodontics?

Existing data shows that nearly 1.2 million people in the United States have tooth and jaw problems with enough severity to require treatment by surgical orthodontics. Persons with dental or dentoalveolar deformity too severe for treatment with orthodontics alone often suffer not only from physical restrictions such as the inability to eat properly, speak clearly, or sleep well — but also from low self-confidence and self-esteem.

Surgical orthodontics can restore natural and proper function to make daily activities like eating, speaking, and even sleeping easier and also improve facial symmetry and aesthetics to restore confidence.

At Reading Orthodontics, we treat our adult patients with care and dignity, working hard to create a customized treatment plan that touches on all aspects of their concerns — from mechanical issues such as eating and speaking to the emotional well-being that can accompany the restoration of a beautiful, natural smile.

Have complex bite issues? Contact our office at (781) 944-7970 to schedule an appointment today and learn how surgical orthodontics can help.