Orthognathic Surgery in Livermore, CA
Corrective Jaw Surgery for Improved Function and Balance
When jaw misalignment causes functional problems that orthodontics alone cannot correct, orthognathic surgery may be the recommended solution. At Smiles Unlimited Family Dental, Dr. Rakhi Jani provides comprehensive evaluations for patients in Livermore and the Tri-Valley area who may benefit from corrective jaw surgery.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct skeletal misalignment. This addresses issues beyond what braces or aligners can fix alone.
The procedure corrects severe overbites, underbites, open bites, jaw asymmetry, and conditions affecting chewing, breathing, or speech.
Conditions That May Require Jaw Surgery
- Severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite not correctable with orthodontics alone
- Chronic jaw pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing
- Obstructive sleep apnea related to jaw position
- Facial asymmetry or imbalance
- Open bite with inability to close the lips comfortably
- Birth defects or growth abnormalities affecting the jaw
The Treatment Process
Phase 1: Orthodontics
Braces or aligners align the teeth within each jaw in preparation for surgery.
Phase 2: Surgery
The surgical procedure repositions the jaws into their correct positions for proper function and balance.
Phase 3: Fine-Tuning
Post-surgical orthodontics fine-tunes the bite for optimal function and long-lasting results.
Benefits of Corrective Jaw Surgery
Patients who undergo orthognathic surgery often experience significant improvements in chewing efficiency, speech clarity, breathing, facial symmetry, and self-confidence. By addressing the underlying skeletal issue, the results are stable and long-lasting. Many patients report that the procedure dramatically improves their quality of life.
Considering Jaw Surgery?
Schedule a consultation at our Livermore office to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, repositions one or both jaws to correct misalignment that cannot be resolved with orthodontics alone. It addresses functional problems like difficulty chewing, breathing, and speaking, as well as facial asymmetry.
Signs that you may benefit from orthognathic surgery include chronic jaw pain, difficulty biting or chewing, breathing difficulties, facial imbalance, an open bite that does not respond to orthodontics, and TMJ disorders. Dr. Jani performs a thorough evaluation including digital imaging to determine if surgery is appropriate.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Post-surgical discomfort is managed with prescribed pain medication and diminishes over the first one to two weeks. Dr. Jani provides comprehensive recovery instructions to support your comfort.
Initial recovery typically takes two to four weeks, during which you will follow a soft or liquid diet. Most patients return to normal activities within four to six weeks. Complete bone healing takes several months, and Dr. Jani monitors your progress throughout recovery.
In many cases, orthodontic treatment is used before surgery to align the teeth within each jaw, and after surgery for final adjustments. Dr. Jani coordinates orthodontic and surgical care to ensure the best possible outcome.
Orthognathic surgery is often covered by medical insurance when it is deemed medically necessary to correct functional problems. Our team works with you and your insurance provider to determine coverage and obtain any necessary pre-authorizations.