JAW SURGERY
WOODLAND HILLS, CA
Orthognathic Surgery, or Corrective Jaw Surgery, is a dental procedure customized to correct both minor and major jaw related issues. At Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our team can evaluate and diagnose dental irregularities. Patients may seek treatment to improve their chewing function, their breathing, and often their aesthetic. At Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our team of oral surgeons, including Dr. Robert G. Hale and Dr. James P. Jensvold specialize in oral and maxillofacial acute treatment. We are available for emergency care, long-term reconstruction, and continuing rehabilitation. As an oral surgery, our focus is on restoring comfort to the patient; this may include physical trauma and emotional trauma. Easing pain from traumatic injury, along with restoring function is the priority.
WHAT IS ORTHOGNATHIC JAW SURGERY?
The term, orthognathic, refers to the jawbone and its alignment, literally meaning, straight jaw. A misaligned jaw can occur following the loss of teeth and neighboring teeth shifting, from an impact injury including a car crash, a fall, an act of violence, or due to a congenital disorder. When a patient has a misaligned jaw, it can lead to several painful or frustrating problems. We can straighten your jaw, begin the correction of your bite, which is then followed up with orthodontics following surgery. These steps combined can assist in improving your chewing function, your speech and even improve breathing.
DO I NEED ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
To determine if orthognathic surgery is right for you, we need to schedule an evaluation with one of the surgeons at Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. There are signs that can indicate the need for further examination, this includes:
- The inability to fully open the jaw.
- The inability, or difficulty, to bite down with the front teeth.
- Difficulty in chewing or gnashing of food.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Changes in the facial appearance, either off balance, or an uneven appearance.
- Experiencing symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
- Suffering from Bruxism, or finding excessive wear on the teeth.
- A bad bite, especially an open bite, which is displayed by a gap between the upper and lower jaw when the mouth is closed.
- A protruding, or receding jaw.
- A patient who has experienced a traumatic facial injury.
- Various congenital defects.
If you suffer from one or more of these conditions, we can evaluate and review digital x-rays, to determine if surgery would be beneficial. In a majority of cases, corrective orthognathic surgery is followed by the placement of braces or other orthodontic devices. The entire correction process can take 1-2 years depending on your needs.
TRAUMATIC FACIAL INJURIES
Facial trauma is a common reason for orthognathic surgery. Injuries can happen while playing sports, on the playground, due to motor vehicle accidents, from falls or from being physically hit. This can result in the jaw being misaligned or may involve additional tissue or bone damage. Some patients may require the stabilization of bone or the use of plates and screws placed in the jaw to allow for correct healing. This type of surgical repair is called rigid fixation. By stabilizing the bone through rigid fixation, we have seen a vastly improved the recovery period for many patients. Your oral surgeon, either Dr. Robert G. Hale or Dr. James P. Jensvold can review this information at your consultation.
At Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we can provide you the relief and function that you need through correcting your jaw alignment. For more information on orthognathic surgery, corrective jaw surgery, or facial trauma, contact Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at our Woodland Hills office, (818) 999-0900.