What is Corrective Jaw Surgery

What is Corrective Orthognathic Jaw Surgery? Overbite/Underbite Jaw Surgery and Treatment Options

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic jaw surgery, is a procedure that can correct skeletal imbalances that may cause a malocclusion, a problem in the way your teeth touch. The procedure can be designed to improve the function of your jaw and the appearance of your smile and face.

If you need underbite surgery, overbite, surgery, lower jaw surgery, or any type of orthognathic jaw surgery, you can get the best care at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery.

Dr. Adam Fagin has completed extensive education including six years of surgical training on top of a one-year fellowship. Dr. Fagin is ready to provide treatment for even the most complex cases. Learn more about specific surgeries and what they address and book your consultation to start treatment planning with our team.

What You Can Expect During the Procedure

Whether considering underbite surgery or overbite surgery, the process is relatively simple when performed by an expert surgeon. Years of training and experience ensure safety and a positive treatment outcome.

General anesthesia is used to ensure safety for both the operating team and the patient. Your condition will be monitored by an anesthesiologist during the surgery. The procedure can take several hours, depending on the complexity. Once adjustments are made, plates and screws are used to hold the jaw into position while your bones naturally heal.

After surgery, you will need to adhere to a strict, “no chew” diet. However, this does not mean you can’t eat. You will be able to open your mouth and eat immediately after surgery. Similar to how, if you were to suffer a broken leg during a car accident your orthopedic surgeon would fix your leg bones with plates and screws. Afterwards you would likely be able to bend your knee, similar to opening your mouth, but you would be given crutches with strict instructions not to walk because the healing bones cannot take this functional force. This is similar to your healing during jaw surgery. You can passively open your mouth, but during the first 6 weeks, your jaw bones cannot take the force required to chew. These advances in plating technology have made recovery much easier as patients can open their mouth and eat what sounds good to them including scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, refried beans, creamy soups, well done pasta, flaky fish and anything you would like to put into a blender.

The specifics of your case will be discussed in detail during the treatment planning. It is our priority to keep you comfortable before and after the surgery, without compromising the outcome of the treatment. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify anything that you need to know about the procedure. Dr. Fagin has a kind and compassionate approach and will take every necessary step to ensure that you are ready for the surgery and recovery period.

Underbite Surgery

An underbite is a type of orthodontic malocclusion where the lower jaw protrudes forward from its optimal position. In a normal bite, the upper front teeth would slightly overlap the lower teeth, but with an underbite, the opposite is true. This can prevent a proper bite and could lead to problems with speaking and chewing, while also increasing the risk of damage to teeth and surrounding structures.

Underbite jaw surgery treats this condition by repositioning the jaw bone, the foundation for the teeth. The lower jaw may appear relatively “large” for one of two reasons, the lower jaw itself is larger or the upper jaw is small making the lower jaw “large” in relation. As a result, the treatment for this can involve moving the upper jaw forward or a combination of moving the upper jaw forward and lower jaw back. It is rare to only move the lower jaw back in isolation with lower jaw surgery.

Underbite surgery can be planned and performed by Dr. Adam Fagin and the team at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery.

Overbite Surgery (Lower Jaw Surgery)

An overbite is a term used to describe the condition where there is a gap or overlap between the top and bottom front teeth. This can cause problems with speaking, biting, and chewing, while also compromising the overall aesthetic of the smile and face.

When an overbite is present, there are two different treatment options. Without overbite surgery, orthodontics alone will attempt to reposition the teeth within the bones to overcome the overbite. Overbite surgery, lower jaw surgery, will address the cause of the problem, the fact that the lower jaw is relatively small, in order to advance the lower jaw to appropriate balance with the rest of the face and jaw. Overbite surgery allows your treatment team to treat the face, the airway, and the bite achieving the most ideal overall outcome. Overbite surgery or lower jaw surgery is not the right treatment for everyone, but each case deserves consideration and our surgeons at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery will be happy to help you better understand whether overbite surgery would be the right treatment for you.

An overbite most commonly develops due to an imbalance in the growth of the upper and lower jaw, however, in some cases it can be exacerbated by habits including thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.

An overbite that is considered “dental” is caused due to the position of the teeth and is commonly fixed with orthodontics. An overbite that is considered “skeletal” is related to irregularities in the jawbone and will typically require overbite surgery, lower jaw surgery.

Orthognathic jaw surgery will be recommended when the skeletal discrepancy is best treated by moving the foundation for the teeth rather than tipping the teeth to overcome this foundational problem. Treatment can include braces as well as orthognathic jaw surgery.

Each case is different and the approach is designed to suit the needs of the individual. To learn more about your best treatment option, and if you need orthognathic jaw surgery, book your appointment at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery.

Book Your Consultation for Jaw Surgery in San Mateo

Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery is the best specialist practice to begin treatment planning for orthognathic jaw surgery in San Mateo and the rest of the Peninsula. Book your consultation and enjoy the detailed and compassionate approach of an experienced surgical team.