Surgical Orthodontics in Long Island City
When your orthodontist and your surgeon work together, the results go beyond what either could achieve alone.
A Collaborative Approach to Jaw Correction
Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with jaw surgery to correct bite problems and facial imbalances that braces or aligners alone can't fully address. At Gantry OMS, Dr. Miller works closely with your orthodontist to plan and execute the surgical component of your care, whether that's a minor procedure to assist tooth movement or a full repositioning of the jaws. The goal is a bite that functions properly and a face that looks balanced, achieved through a coordinated plan built around your specific anatomy.
Types of Corrective Jaw and Tooth Surgeries
Canine Exposure
When teeth don't fully emerge (erupt) into the mouth, they are said to be impacted. While wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted, canine teeth can often also fail to erupt properly. In many cases, your orthodontist can guide the tooth into the correct position, but it will first need an attachment placed to allow the necessary traction. This involves a minor surgery to expose the tooth and bond the appliance. Once healed, your orthodontist will gradually move the tooth into the correct position over the next several months.
Temporary Anchorage Devices
Also known as skeletal anchorage devices, TADs are small, screw-like implants used in orthodontics to provide a stable anchor point for moving teeth. They are usually made of titanium and are inserted into the jawbone through a small incision in the gums. They're especially useful in cases where orthodontic appliances (like braces or clear aligner trays) are unable to achieve the desired tooth movement by themselves.
Surgically-Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy
Also known as accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (AOO) among other names, SFOT is an advanced orthodontic technique that combines traditional orthodontic treatment with a surgical procedure to significantly speed up tooth movement. There are multiple variants of the procedure, but most involve creating micro-cuts or perforations in the bone adjacent to the teeth being moved. The bone becomes temporarily softer, allowing teeth to move more easily, which can reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment by half or more.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery aims to correct the positions and shapes of the upper and lower jaws relative to each other, as well as with respect to the face as a whole. The procedure is meticulously planned using advanced imaging techniques to create patient-specific surgical guides and fixation hardware, permitting an elegant surgery with sub-millimeter precision. The result not only significantly enhances the ability to chew and speak, but can also produce a dramatic improvement in facial symmetry and appearance.
Have questions? We've got answers.
FAQs
Is orthognathic surgery safe?
Modern surgical techniques, careful planning, and the use of advanced technology have made orthognathic surgery safer and more predictable than ever before. Still, as with any surgery, there are inherent risks. Risks specific to orthognathic surgery include bleeding, facial numbness, and relapse of the bite. Fortunately these complications are rare, and carefully following post-op instructions ensures outcomes are as successful as possible.
What is the recovery like after orthognathic jaw surgery?
Perhaps surprisingly, most patients report relatively mild pain after the surgery; the majority of complaints regard difficulties with speaking and eating early on due to swelling. While recovery time varies depending on the type and extent of the surgery performed, it’s typical for patients to take 2 to 4 weeks off work or school. Initial swelling and discomfort peak in the first week and then gradually subside. Patients can usually return to normal activities after 6 to 8 weeks, but complete healing and adjustments can take several months.
Will orthognathic surgery change my appearance?
Orthognathic surgery usually ends up changing a person’s appearance for the better. The goal is to improve both function and aesthetics, creating a more balanced and proportionate face. Changes can include a more prominent or reduced chin, enhanced midface volume, and improved facial symmetry. The extent of the change depends on the specific procedure performed and your individual case. During the planning phase, we use advanced imaging technology to project the expected post-surgical outcome. It’s important to note that while changes can be significant, the result is aimed at enhancing one’s natural features rather than creating a dramatically different look.
What can I eat after orthognathic surgery?
As recovery times tend to be longer with this procedure compared to other surgeries in the field, special emphasis is placed on ensuring nutritional intake is maintained during the healing process. A non-chew diet for a week or two is a good idea, and in rare cases where the jaws need to be wired closed, a pure liquid diet is necessary. We recommend meal replacement shake brands like Huel, Kachava, or Soylent, which are filling, nutritionally rich, and easy to swallow. As swelling, numbness, and jaw mobility improve over time, slowly reintroducing more solid-type foods is allowed.