Orthognathic Surgery

Restore Function and Health

The jaw plays an important role in everyday functions, such as chewing, speaking, and breathing. When the jaw is misaligned, these functions can be compromised and even affect oral health. TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, orthodontic and bone structure issues are common oral health complications due to jaw misalignment. Conservative treatments may be able to correct the issue, but severe or complex cases may require surgical treatment, called orthognathic surgery.

Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?

Simply put, orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery. The purpose of orthognathic surgery is to correct jaw alignment for optimal function and health. Orthognathic surgery is used to treat many conditions, such as facial trauma injury or birth defects. For other oral health issues, orthognathic surgery may be recommended if conservative treatments fail to correct the issue. Common symptoms of jaw misalignment that may require orthognathic surgery include:

• Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
• Lips do not meet together
• Breathing problems
• Protruding or receding jaw
• Sleep apnea
• Excessive wear on teeth
• Ongoing jaw (TMJ) pain
• Open bite (teeth that do not meet together)

If you have been referred for orthognathic surgery or are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact Boulder Oral Surgery for a consultation with Dr. Nedbalski or Dr. Luter. He will perform a complete oral evaluation, diagnose your condition, and formulate the right treatment plan for you.

Orthognathic Surgery Procedure

Our care team is waiting to welcome you at Boulder Oral Surgery and ensure you have the best possible experience. During your consultation, we encourage you to ask questions about your condition, your procedure, and what to expect. We will also provide pre-operative and post-operative instructions to help you prepare for treatment and optimize your recovery. Your orthognathic surgery treatment may also include the assisted efforts of your dentist or orthodontist to achieve the best results. It is very common for an orthodontist to prepare the mouth with braces before surgical treatment.

In general, orthognathic surgery requires repositioning a portion of the jaw using wires, plates, and screws. When you come to Boulder Oral Surgery on the day of your surgical procedure, we will make sure you feel completely at ease before we begin. Dr. Nedbalski or Dr. Luter will administer the anesthesia discussed and chosen during your consultation, and then get to work on your new, functional, healthy smile.

Although most patients can expect to take two weeks to one month off from work or school following their surgical procedure, the bones will take several more weeks to heal in their new position. It may even take up to one year to experience the full functionality of the jaw. During your healing period, you may be expected to visit your oral surgeon and orthodontist regularly to ensure you are healing as you should. All post-surgical guidelines should be followed as instructed to optimize healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Please contact Boulder Oral Surgery if you are experiencing any issues. We will make every effort to assist you promptly.