Orthognathic Surgery in Milwaukee

Abnormalities in the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) can affect how your jaws fit together, leading to various complex health problems that orthodontic procedures can't fix alone. In these cases, a maxillofacial surgeon may perform orthognathic surgery, more commonly known as corrective jaw surgery. This surgery includes therapeutic, diagnostic, cosmetic, and reconstructive procedures intended to provide the following benefits:

• Correct breathing issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea and mouth breathing
• Alleviate pain from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Improve biting, chewing, and swallowing functions
• Address conditions that affect the symmetry of the face
• Repair damage caused by congenital disorders, such as a cleft palate
• Correct speech impediments caused by a poor jaw or tooth alignment
• Prevent damage to the teeth and gums

Corrective jaw surgery is optimally performed on patients whose jaws have stopped growing, such as those in their late teens or early twenties. The irregularities in the jaw that necessitate this surgery may occur due to genetics, injury, or habits like thumb sucking or chewing with excessive force.

• Severe Malocclusion: Orthodontic procedures can be used to resolve malocclusions and jaw alignment issues. However, some problems are too complex or have progressed too far for traditional orthodontic treatments like braces to fix alone. Severe malocclusions can prevent someone from chewing properly, and a misalignment in the jaw may lead to a dysfunction in the muscles responsible for swallowing.
• Temporomandibular Disorders: TMD causes pain and discomfort that can affect your quality of life. Eating, drinking, speech, breathing, and sleeping could be affected by TMD. When a jaw misalignment contributes to TMD, corrective jaw surgery helps with relief of some of these symptoms.  
• Appearance: Finally, the jaw's alignment significantly affects the shape and symmetry of the face and head. Even if a malocclusion doesn't adversely affect a patient's quality of life, it can alter their appearance. Corrective jaw surgery can also fix alterations caused by injuries or conditions like a cleft palate.

Though certain irregularities in the jaw may be too severe to be fixed through orthodontic techniques alone, you may still be required to wear braces for a period before or after corrective jaw surgery. Being fitted with braces helps align your teeth and reduce the severity of malocclusions such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Braces can also help guide your teeth into the proper bite position once your jaw has been surgically realigned, preventing damage to them. If you need to be fitted with braces, an orthodontist will be responsible for doing so, working with your maxillofacial surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.