Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical Orthodontics combines standard orthodontic treatment with orthgnathic (jaw) surgery.
Combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery is required when:
- Orthodontic treatment alone cannot fix the problem.
- Orthodontic treatment alone will result in a negative change to facial aesthetics.
- There is an aesthetic requirement for facial change.
- Sleep disordered breathing (OSA).
Surgical orthodontics aims to address any skeletal discrepancies by treating problems that cannot be resolved with orthodontics alone.
Conditions Where Surgical Orthodontics May Be Required
Skeletal Malocclusions
- Class II malocclusion – treatment will correct skeletal discrepancy.
- Small mandible (lower jaw) or set back lower jaw. Surgery is undertaken to bring the lower jaw forward.
- Class III (underbite) malocclusions.
- Large mandible (lower jaw).
- Small maxilla (upper jaw).
- Combined large mandible and small maxilla.
- Surgery is undertaken to bring the upper jaw forward and the lower jaw backwards to correct skeletal discrepancy.
Gummy Smile
- Excessive gingival displayed during smiling, due to a vertically long maxilla (upper jaw).
- Surgery is undertaken to reduce the vertical height of the maxilla.
Anterior Open Bite
- Front teeth do not meet when the jaws are closed due to a combination of teeth and skeletal (jaw) factors.
- Surgery is usually in both jaws to allow the front teeth to come together.
