Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is a procedure performed on patients whose jaws do not meet correctly. An improper bite and misalignment of the jaws can cause a host of physical problems. Sometimes, the problem may be corrected without jaw surgery through the use of orthodontics. But for some patients, their orthodontist will need to work with an oral surgeon to correct the bite with surgical intervention.
The overall goal and purpose of orthognathic surgery is to correct the functional problem with the jaw; however, this procedure also results in improved aesthetics and facial proportions. Patients who undergo corrective jaw surgery can expect to experience several benefits, including:
- Improved speech, eating, and respiratory function
- Enhanced facial appearance and balance of individual features
- Minimal treatment time
- Decreased likelihood of short- and long-term relapse
Dr. Weber and the surgical staff at Northern Westchester Oral Surgery are specially trained to perform corrective jaw surgery. The entire team thoroughly enjoys seeing the positive transformations that result from orthognathic treatment.
Why Do I Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Misaligned jaws can cause a number of problems inside the mouth and to the facial structure, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
- The inability to properly chew and grind food
- Digestive problems
- Dental crowding
- Increased risk of periodontal disease
- Shorter tooth lifespan
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- The inability to completely close the lips
- Heavy breathing
- Impaired speech function
- Poor facial aesthetics
Many of these problems can cause serious consequences to the overall health of the mouth and face, which makes it very important to ensure that irregularities of the jaw are diagnosed and treated early in order to reduce the risks.
Am I a candidate for corrective jaw surgery?
Many candidates for orthognathic surgery are already aware of the issue, but they just do not know that there is a surgical treatment to correct their problem. You may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery if you experience any of the following problems:
- Significantly protruding upper or lower jaw
- Difficulty biting food, chewing, or swallowing
- Speech problems, breathing problems, or sleep apnea
- Receded chin
- Difficulty closing your lips comfortably
If you think that you may be a candidate or your orthodontist has recommended corrective jaw surgery, we encourage you to contact our office for an initial consultation. Dr. Zachary Weber has completed extensive surgical training and education relating to the face and jaw, which makes him uniquely qualified to examine and treat abnormalities of the facial skeleton. If Dr. Weber determines that you are a candidate for corrective (orthognathic) jaw surgery, we will work hand-in-hand with your orthodontist to plan and execute your procedure.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weber at our office location in Mt. Kisco, NY. Our well-trained office staff and skilled surgical team are happy to help in any way possible to restore your oral function.