How Orthognathic Surgery Can Improve The Quality Of Life
Posted on: 8 September 2021
If you are ever told that you need to get orthognathic surgery, it might evoke fear. It's a word that most individuals have never heard of, and hearing it from a dental provider can be puzzling. Rest assured that individuals who receive this recommendation are given concrete facts about how the procedure will benefit them. Orthognathic surgery is the medical term for corrective jaw surgery. Its primary purpose is to correct jaw alignment issues. Jaws in the human body are essential to a variety of aspects of everyday living. Misalignment can interfere. Some individuals are born with alignment issues. Others may have issues due to traumatic experiences like a car accident. The following points represent a few things that this type of surgical procedure can correct.
Jaw Pain
Some individuals have severe jaw pain on a daily basis. Dentists can implement a variety of strategies to make the pain more manageable. Mouthguards are a common solution. However, when all non-surgical options have been exhausted, surgery may be recommended. A common cause of chronic jaw pain is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). These joints serve a significant function in doing day-to-day activities such as speaking, swallowing, and chewing. Jaw pain can also occur when individuals have a habit of clenching their teeth or grinding their teeth in their sleep.
Overbite
Some overbites are obvious. However, it is possible for less noticeable cases of overbite to cause issues for some individuals. The more severe an overbite is, the more likely surgery will be recommended. Mild cases can usually be corrected with orthodontic treatments.
Chewing and Swallowing Issues
Problems with chewing and swallowing are related to the pain that some individuals experience from their misalignments. The difficulty is connected to TMJ. The joints are responsible for controlling the jaw to chew food and also should work in harmony with neck muscles for swallowing. Individuals who cannot properly chew their food might face nutritional issues such as malnutrition due to avoiding meals or certain foods. They might also have indigestion from improperly chewing food.
Prognathism
This is the medical term for a protruding jaw. This can be present at birth but may not be immediately evident. The disfigurement can cause issues with self-esteem and cause other issues. If a jaw bone is broken and heals improperly, it may protrude.
Orthognathic surgery can correct many more issues and improve the quality of one's life. A dentist can be used as a resource to better understand this surgical option. Some orthodontists might also recommend corrective jaw surgery prior to the start of orthodontic treatments.
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