There are a number of reasons jaw surgery might be necessary for your situation. At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we most often recommend it for the six reasons below.
1. Nonsurgical Treatments Do Not Yield Results
If non-surgical treatments are at all possible for you, our team will try this method. However, if we find that heat and cold packs, mouthguards and medications don’t solve problems like TMJ, we can guide you toward the next step. That could possibly be jaw surgery, but we will first do comprehensive testing to determine if it is ideal for your situation.
2. You Would Like to Improve Facial Appearance
One reason patients seek jaw surgery is for the improvement in facial appearance. If you have an underbite or overbite that protrudes, it is possible to surgically move your jaw backward or forward. It might not be by a lot, but even a small fraction can make a major difference. Surgery can also be used to correct birth defects.
3. You’ve Been in an Accident
If you have been in an accident and the jaw joint was injured, sometimes surgery is the only way to repair the damage. After an accident, we can respond with immediate surgical support — get a referral or contact our office right away.
4. You Cannot Eat Normally
When you struggle to chew and find yourself avoiding most of the foods you normally love to eat, jaw alignment is clearly a major problem that’s interfering with your life. Our complete assessment will reveal the reasons for this and help us make a professional recommendation on what you should do.
5. You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that affects a vast number of people, even though they may not realize it. When the tissues in your throat collapse, this interferes with breathing during sleep. You wake up gasping and choking and you may snore excessively too. You may have constant headaches or trouble concentrating during the day. Jaw surgery can resolve the underlying issues that are causing sleep apnea.
6. You Have Constant TMJ Pain
TMJ disorder can put stress on the entire upper body. Your neck, shoulders and back can all suffer because of your TMJ pain. If you can’t find a solution, jaw surgery might be the only recourse.
Richmond Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a trusted provider to help you resolve jaw alignment issues, and if necessary, perform corrective jaw surgery. Contact us today to set up an assessment.