Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Proper jaw alignment allows you to eat, speak, and breathe comfortably. If the jaws are misaligned or the teeth do not properly fit within the jaw, corrective jaw surgery can help. This procedure, also called orthognathic surgery, is a joint effort between your orthodontist and oral surgeon.

Dr. Liberty is a board-certified surgeon who offers jaw surgery to patients in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA. We use the latest 3D imaging and surgical technology to provide patients with an enhanced surgical experience that ensures safety and predictable results. If you or your child need jaw surgery, contact Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery today.

Do I Need Orthognathic Surgery?

Many people can benefit from jaw surgery, including those with an improper bite or jaws that are not positioned correctly. The upper or lower jaw may grow at different rates, resulting in problems that poorly affect speech and oral function. Jaw problems can also be the result of facial trauma or birth defects. Some cases can be treated with orthodontics alone, but others require both an orthodontic and surgical approach.

If not treated properly, jaw misalignment can lead to significant long-term oral health problems like facial pain, excessive wear on teeth, speech problems, and asymmetrical facial features. You should contact our office for an evaluation if you experience one or more of these signs, as it could indicate jaw misalignment:

• Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing food
• Chronic jaw or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain
• Jaw clicking, popping, or locking
• Speech problems
• Protruding jaw
• Breathing problems or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Open bite

Patients who undergo jaw surgery experience life-changing results and a drastic improvement in the ability to eat, breathe, and speak.

Technological Advancements and Jaw Surgery

To provide exceptional care, we stay at the forefront of technology in our field and equip each of our offices with state-of-the-art equipment that can better serve our patients and their health. Our surgeons use advanced 3D imaging equipment and surgical planning technology to create better results for our patients. We can create detailed surgical guides and explain how we will approach your surgery, then show you computer-generated images of how your face will look after treatment is complete.

Jaw Surgery: What to Expect

After we create your custom treatment plan, our team will design every detail of your orthognathic surgery. This surgery is performed in a hospital operating room and you will be under general anesthesia. You will start wearing braces before surgery to align the teeth. Braces are kept on during jaw surgery and your orthodontist will remove them several months to a year after surgery.

During surgery, your surgeon will separate the portion of the jaw that needs to be moved and reposition it. We will use biocompatible screws and plates to secure the bone in place, and incisions are made within the mouth to eliminate the possibility of visible scarring. Previously, patients who underwent jaw surgery had their jaws wired shut during recovery, but advances in oral surgery today have eliminated the need to do this in most cases.

Orthognathic surgery takes several hours to complete and as surgical experts with anesthesia training, our doctors monitor your health and safety throughout the entire process. You can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days and return to work or school after 2–4 weeks.

We provide instructions on how to maintain good oral hygiene, what foods to avoid, and how to ensure a smooth recovery. Many patients return to normal chewing function around two months after surgery, although it may take one year to regain full function.

Throughout all stages of your care, you can depend on our team at Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery to provide support and guidance. If you have questions at any point throughout your treatment, please contact one of our offices and we will be happy to help!

Jaw Surgery in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA

Orthognathic surgery can drastically improve your life by enhancing the way you speak, eat, and breathe. Our surgeons offer this procedure to patients in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Auburn, and surrounding California communities. Contact us today to schedule your first visit and see if jaw surgery is right for you.