Corrective Jaw Surgery / Orthognathic Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) repositions misaligned jaws that do not meet evenly, or do not fit with your natural teeth. Performed by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, corrective jaw surgery is designed to correct dental irregularities, allowing the upper and lower jaws and teeth to fit together and function properly. And while the main purpose of the surgery is to correct functional problems, the surgery may also result in a more balanced, functional, healthy, and attractive appearance.

Do You Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Your jaw grows gradually over time; however the upper and lower jaws may not grow at the same rate. An injury to the jaw or a birth defect can also affect jaw alignment. Results from improper jaw alignment can include improper chewing, long-term oral health problems, speech issues, and a less desirable appearance. 

Corrective jaw surgery is commonly done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment for straightening teeth. Orthodontics can usually correct bite (occlusion) problems when only the teeth are misaligned. But if the jaws are misaligned, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to address the problem. 
 
Signs to Look For:

• Difficulty in chewing, biting or swallowing
• Long or short upper or lower jaw
• Speech problems
• Chronic jaw or TMJ pain and headache
• Gummy smile
• Open bite
• Protruding jaw
• Sleep apnea
• Breathing problems
• Chronic mouth breathing or dry mouth

Your dentist will work closely with Dr. Eklund to determine if you are a candidate for corrective jaw surgery. Your oral surgeon will determine which surgical procedure would be appropriate, and then conduct the surgery. Depending on your procedure, corrective jaw surgery may be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, or in Southwest Oral & Implant's sterile surgical setting.

Depending upon your skeletal misalignment, Dr. Eklund can reposition your jaw bones. In some cases, bone may be added, taken away or reshaped. Your doctor may use surgical plates, screws, wires, and rubber bands to hold your jaws in their new positions. To reduce visible scarring, incisions are made inside the mouth. However, some cases do require small incisions outside of the mouth. When this is necessary, your surgeon will take extreme care to minimize their appearance.

Corrective jaw surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in complete comfort at Southwest Oral & Implant Surgery’s sterile surgical suite. You have a choice of anesthesia options including local anesthesia, local anesthesia with nitrous (laughing gas), or intravenous (IV) sedation (twilight sleep or conscious sedation). No matter which option you choose, the trained staff at Southwest Oral & Implant Surgery will be at your side to reassure you and answer any questions you may have.

Contact Us

If you are a dentist or a physician who is interested in referring your patients to Dr. Eklund, visit the Referring Doctors section for more information. If you are a patient who would like to schedule an appointment, visit the Contact Us section for hours, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.