It is said that a smile is the most beautiful makeup that one can wear. But due to the skeletal structure of our jaws, our smile can be marred with irregular and unaligned teeth. The unalignment and crookedness of our teeth is medically known as malocclusion.
There are several types of malocclusions that can lead to a person having an unpleasant smile and cause inconvenience while biting and chewing food.
Some of these malocclusions are:
- Overbite
To treat these malocclusions, a surgeon will recommend getting corrective jaw surgery if other non-surgical methods of treatment (braces, retainers, bonding, etc.) prove to be ineffective. But there are several pros and cons of corrective jaw surgery that must be taken into consideration before you opt for this treatment method.
Pros of Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery is a permanent solution for treating all kinds of malocclusions. Once the skeletal structure of the jaw bone is fixed by changing the shape and size of the jawbones, the teeth automatically align themselves in a regular arch form on both the lower and upper jaws.
The corrective jaw surgery gives the patient a proper occlusion, thereby treating all kinds of bad bites. An occlusion is the relationship between the upper and the lower teeth. It is the manner in which the upper jaw sits perfectly on the lower jaw to ensure that when the mouth is closed, the upper teeth sit right above the lower teeth.
Corrective jaw surgery is a quick process that saves your teeth from strain and damage. Other non-surgical treatments like braces, bonding, retainers, and dentures can put a lot of strain on your teeth as these devices are attached to your teeth for months and years. But in the case of corrective jaw surgery, it is your jaw bone that receives a surgical treatment instead of the teeth.
Cons of Corrective Jaw Surgery
The corrective jaw surgery can have adverse side effects like numbness, loss of hearing, extreme pain, and increased drooling.
Moreover, corrective jaw surgery is ten times more expensive than non-surgical treatments for correcting malocclusions. The average cost of corrective jaw surgery can range from $20,000 to $40,000.
The aftercare for corrective jaw surgery is more difficult as compared to the non-surgical treatments. You will not be able to eat anything for 24 hours, and even when you resume eating, for the first 4 to 6 weeks, you can only eat liquid to semi-liquid meals.
The downtime for healing and recovery after corrective jaw surgery is anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks. During this time, you will have to maintain a regular dose of pain-relieving medicines because jaw surgery is very painful. Corrective jaw surgery is permanent, and it can greatly alter your facial features. A bigger or smaller jaw bone will change the shape and size of your chin, mouth, and cheeks.
Here, at Henderson Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, Dr. Huang specializes in conducting corrective jaw surgeries. Please call us to schedule your appointment.
