Sometimes patients present to our orthodontic office with severe jaw discrepancies that include bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusion. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty in the field of dentistry that focuses on treating complex cases involving the face, mouth, jaw and skull. If you need surgical orthodontics, Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to give you the best result and experience possible.
WHEN MIGHT ORTHODONTICS AND SURGERY BE NEEDED?
Typically, jaw growth stops around age 15 in females and 18 or 19 in males. Surgical orthodontics may be used to treat patients whose jaw growth has completed and resulted in an improper bites or other aesthetic concern. When orthodontics alone is not able to address the bite issues resulting from abnormal jaw growth then surgical orthodontics may be needed. Orthognathic surgery can help properly align the jaw, and our doctors, Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen will use orthodontic braces to move the teeth into the proper position.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I WILL NEED ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
Your orthodontist, Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen, can tell you if orthognathic surgery is needed as part of your treatment. Depending on the severity of your case and the alignment of your jaw, you may or may not need surgery.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon will perform your orthognathic surgery, and the surgery will take place in a hospital such as Longview Regional or Christus Good Shepherd. Orthognathic surgery can take several hours depending on each individual case. Once the surgery is complete, you will have about a two-week rest period. Since orthognathic surgery is a major treatment, we recommend that you schedule some time away from work and school during the healing process. After your jaw has healed, Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen will once again “fine-tune” your bite using braces. After surgery, you will have to wear braces, and most braces are removed within six to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, it will be important to wear your retainer to help maintain your new smile.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
As with any major surgery, there may be certain risks of having orthognathic surgery. However, the process of orthognathic surgery is not new, and it has been performed for many years in practices and hospitals. If you're concerned about an upcoming treatment with orthognathic surgery, please contact our office, located in Longview right next to the Longview Regional Medical Center and let us know. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have, and provide you with any additional information.
WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF HAVING ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
For many patients, the most important reward of having orthognathic surgery is achieving a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Whether you need orthodontic treatment to correct a bad bite, malocclusion, or jaw abnormality, orthognathic surgery can help restore your confidence and leave you smiling with confidence for many years to come.
If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists or dental braces,. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX right by Longview Regional Hospital and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.
