SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS

Surgical orthodontics is the alignment of teeth and arches in preparation for jaw surgery. For certain patients, orthodontic treatment alone will not completely address the patient’s dental and skeletal issues. If the main problem is the alignment of the jaw, which stems from atypical skeletal growth, surgery accompanied with braces may be the best option to correct the bite. Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is performed to correct these functional as well as cosmetic jaw problems.

 

Here at Bee Cave Orthodontics, we help our patient’s that are undergoing jaw treatment by helping them prep their teeth before and after surgery. While we don’t perform jaw surgery at out office, we can refer you to an oral surgeon and provide the necessary preparations to ensure you have the best smile possible! Preparing your teeth for this big procedure can be done with braces or Invisalign.

HOW DOES SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS WORK WHILE PREPARING FOR ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY (JAW SURGERY)?

Orthodontic treatment is usually needed to prepare before and after the patient’s surgery. The first treatment involves moving your teeth and bite to put them in a good position for surgery. You might notice that your bite is more misaligned than before starting orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry, your teeth will fit together properly after the surgery. The team at Bee Cave Orthodontics will work with your surgeon in order to create a customized treatment plan to address your issues and optimize your jaw for surgery. We will work together to determine the best course of action for your individual needs.

 

In some instances, orthognathic surgery may be performed first. In these cases, your surgeon will perform corrective jaw surgery without pre-orthodontic care. This will depend on the condition of your issues and is on a case-by-case basis. If this is the case, your orthodontist and surgeon will discuss this option with you if they believe that your case is applicable.

WHEN MIGHT SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS BE NEEDED?

Sometimes the root cause of your jaw issues might stem from genetics. As you were growing, your upper and lower jaws grew out of alignment.  Other causes can be linked to birth defects, injuries or environmental causes. If your jaw isn’t properly meeting together, it can make it hard to bite, chew or even speak. The jaw stops growing by age 16 in females and 18 in males and although some jaw issues can be fixed with orthodontic treatment alone, a treatment plan involving surgery may be needed.

CONDITIONS TREATED WITH JAW SURGERY

  • Difficulty chewing or biting food
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Chronic jaw or TMJ pain
  • Excessive wear of the teeth
  • Open Bite
  • Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side
  • Facial Injury
  • Birth defects
  • Receding Chin
  • Protruding jaw
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Dry Mouth
  • Sleep Apnea

SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS BEFORE SURGERY

Before surgery, you will have to wear braces or Invisalign for about 6-18 months. The length of treatment will depend on the severity of your case. We do this in order so your teeth will fit together correctly when your jaws are repositioned with surgery. Because of that, orthodontic treatment before jaw surgery isn’t to make your teeth straight, so you’ll notice that your smile will be more misaligned than before starting orthodontic treatment. This is completely normal and the end result will be a symmetrical and beautiful bite. Pre-orthodontic treatment is done in a way to help your surgery go as smooth as possible. Dr. Da Silveira and her team can help prepare you for surgery with the appropriate orthodontic treatment.

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. There are many severe issues that can be fixed with jaw surgery and we can go over those issues when you come to Bee Cave Orthodontics for an appointment.

SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS AFTER SURGERY

A surgeon will perform your orthognathic surgery, and the surgery will take place in a hospital. 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, we will get started on the final step of the process and that’s to straighten out your smile. You will have to wear braces or Invisalign again from six to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to help maintain your new smile.

BEE CAVE ORTHODONTICS NOW USES INVISALIGN FOR SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS

Did you know that you don’t need traditional braces to prepare for orthodontic treatment? Here at Bee Cave Orthodontics, we utilize the latest technology so we can offer Invisalign treatment for our jaw surgery patients! Instead of having to go through traditional braces the entire process, many of our jaw surgery patients decide to combine their jaw surgery with Invisalign treatment. This combination approach can decrease the total time spent in braces before and after surgery! Dr. Adriana Da Silveira is an expert on complex jaw cases and will be the team leader to get your bite ready for surgery.

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About Bee Cave Orthodontics

We are a premier Invisalign and Braces provider located MINUTES away from the Hill Country Galleria! As a Diamond Invisalign Provider in Austin, we can create a high-tech, customized, and tailored orthodontic treatment just for you!

Our mission is to create beautiful and healthy smiles all over Central Texas and beyond. Claim your free consultation today!

Meet Dr. Adriana Da Silveira, DDS, MS, PHD

Bee Cave Orthodontics

Dr. Adriana Da Silveira is an Orthodontics expert that specializes orthodontics for children, teenagers, adults and special needs. She can create a customized Invisalign treatment just for you!

About Bee Cave Orthodontics

Bee Cave Orthodontics is a premier Invisalign and braces provider located in Austin, Texas only minutes away from the Hill Country Galleria. With over 20 years of experience, our team specializes in treatment plans for kids, teenagers, adults and special needs children. Dr. Adriana Da Silveira and her team’s mission is to create beautiful and healthy smiles all over Central Texas and beyond!

Dr. D is a teacher, researcher and is specialized in complex cases. Our team offers gentle, leading-edge care that will transform your smile and life. With our high-tech 3D technology, we can create a personalized orthodontic treatment plan just for you! So what are you waiting for? Schedule your free consultation today!

11412 Bee Caves Rd, Suite #300, Austin, TX 78738
Hours

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Friday

Contact us

Phone: (512)334-0444
Email: [email protected]