Surgical Orthodontics

Surgical orthodontics corrects jaw alignment issues that braces or clear aligners cannot improve. If you have jaw pain or chewing problems as an adult, orthodontist Patricia Tran, DDS, MSD, PA, and the team at Discover Orthodontics in Katy, Texas, can evaluate you to determine if jaw surgery is necessary as part of your personalized treatment plan. To find out if you can benefit from surgical orthodontics, call the office or schedule a consultation online right away. 

What is surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, may be what you need if regular orthodontics like braces or clear aligners cannot align your teeth by themselves. These surgeries help to align your jaw or fix other skeletal problems with your jawbone that affect how you speak or chew. 

After an in-depth evaluation at Discover Orthodontics, the team plans your surgery to address your unique needs. They tell you how to prepare for surgery, what to expect from the recovery, and the difference you can expect once you heal. 

Typically, you get orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners to align your teeth before orthognathic surgery, then continue with orthodontic treatment after you heal. These treatments are available only for people whose jaws have finished growing. 

When do I need surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics can correct severe jaw misalignment that impacts the function of your mouth. You might need surgical orthodontics if you have a jaw issue that causes a speech impediment or if you can’t chew properly because of your jaw’s alignment. 

Jaw surgery at Discover Orthodontics can also address temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). This is a condition that can result from jaw injuries, teeth grinding, or just the natural structure of your jaw. TMJ causes:

• Jaw pain
• Jaw clicking or popping
• Jaw locking
• Ear aches
• Headaches
• Grinding jaw joints

If you have any of these issues, you should discuss them with the team at Discover Orthodontics to find out if you can benefit from surgical orthodontics. 

Is there a way to avoid needing surgical orthodontics?

Yes, but only if you started orthodontic care as a child when your jaw was still growing. Many jaw issues that affect adults and cause them to need surgical orthodontics can be addressed much earlier with Phase One orthodontics. 

During Phase One orthodontics, the team at Discover Orthodontics evaluates a child’s developing jaw to detect any possible issues with jaw and tooth alignment in the future. They can use corrections like palatal expanders or space maintainers to guide the growth of the child’s jaw over time as the bones are still developing. 

To learn more about surgical orthodontics and find out if you’ll need jaw surgery as part of your orthodontic treatment, call Discover Orthodontics or schedule an appointment online today.