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CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERIES SUPPORT A HEALTHY BALANCE AND AN ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE

Dentists from throughout the Inland Northwest turn to Liberty Oral & Facial Surgery in Spokane Valley, Washington, and Post Falls, Idaho. They trust their patients to our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr Bryan McLelland. As OMS or OMFS specialist, he has the advanced knowledge, experience, and technologies to repair or reconstruct a wide range of conditions that affect the structure, function, and health of the mouth, face, and jaws.

Corrective jaw surgery is also known as “orthognathic” surgery. What’s in a name? Well, “ortho” refers to “straight,” and “gnathic” refers to jaws, which pretty much sums up the goal of these treatments. Our specialists may recommend orthognathic surgery to correct jaw-related imbalances. Irregularities such as misalignment (known as malocclusion or “bad bite”) are associated with many symptoms that can affect the quality of your life.

Your jaw, after all, is responsible for many functions. It supports proper speech, “bite,” chewing efficiency, and healthy breathing. The jaws also contribute heavily to your facial shape, definition, and overall appearance. Injuries or other trauma may be to blame for jaw misalignment, or you may have been born with such imbalances. Regardless, there are several benefits associated with undergoing corrective jaw surgery. We’ve listed some of the benefits of these surgical techniques. Also, some of the conditions and symptoms noted below may indicate that you can benefit from our expertise.

  • Improved biting, chewing, swallowing, and speech
  • Decreased risk of wear and tear to the teeth, and fractures
  • Enhanced facial symmetry
  • Relief from TMJ symptoms (such as chronic headaches, jaw stiffness)
  • Relief from jaw pain
  • Improved breathing function among patients with sleep apnea

Depending on your needs, our doctors may recommend procedures to correct an “open bite” a protruding lower jaw, or the opposite – a receding jaw (or “weak chin”). The former treatment involves precisely reducing the upper jaw. In turn, the jaw is repositioned. So, the mouth closes comfortably and well when the patient bites down. The bite is no longer “open,” as the front teeth can now touch.

The latter treatments involve expertly repositioning the jaws by altering their structure. A pronounced lower jaw can be modified and shifted back to achieve a more balanced profile and alignment. Likewise, modifications to receding jaws bring the chin forward. Accordingly, we correct a poorly-defined jawline and misalignment.

WHEN DOES A PATIENT REQUIRE JAW SURGERY?

The most common reason for seeking corrective surgery of the jaw is to address misalignment or a bad bite. Uneven teeth often occur as a result of malocclusion, or a misaligned bite.

Along with uneven teeth, patients with malocclusion may also experience:

  • Excessive wear on the teeth, including chips and cracks that eventually lead to tooth loss and dentures
  • A jaw that recedes or protrudes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Difficult chewing or swallowing
  • TMJ disorder or bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • Jaw pain

Malocclusion can be the result of birth defects or facial trauma. Patients with these issues may need surgery if orthodontics isn’t enough to correct malocclusion. At Liberty Oral Surgery, Dr. McLelland has the skills and experience necessary to perform oral surgery and correct your jaw issues.

COMMON SURGICAL PROCEDURES

After examining your jaw, including employing advanced radiograph technology, Dr. McLelland will decide which type of jaw surgery will best address your malocclusion. We offer both anesthetic and sedation dentistry to ensure you remain comfortable during the procedure. Once the surgery has been completed, Dr. McLelland will provide detailed aftercare information and will schedule follow-up visits. Common examples of corrective jaw procedures include:

  • Open Bite Surgery: This procedure repairs an open bite, in which the patient has difficult closing their mouth or the front teeth don’t meet. A small potion of the upper jaw is removed and the jaw secured, allowing an even, comfortable bite.
  • Weak Chin Surgery: To correct a weak or receding chin, Dr. McLelland modifies the jaw so it moves forward and provides a stronger chin and corrects malocclusion.
  • Protruding Jaw Surgery: To move the jaw back to an optimal position, Dr. McLelland carefully alters the front portion of the lower jaw. This moves the lower jaw back and provides a more attractive smile.

If you have any questions or concerns about corrective jaw surgery, please contact our office today.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

At Liberty Oral Surgery we can take your picture and radiograph and morph the face essentially doing virtual jaw surgery giving you a sneak peak on what the facial changes will look like. Many patients find this helpful to know not only that their bite will be corrected but that they will have positive, esthetic sometimes life changing changes in their appearance.

At Liberty Oral & Facial Surgery, our patients benefit from both our experience in highly specialized disciplines, as well as our nifty “tools.” These include digital technologies that allow our doctors to simulate the surgery virtually. We can show you exactly how your jaws and face will look afterward. These capabilities also facilitate patients’ ability to make well-informed decisions about their treatment. You, as a patient, can visualize how our procedures correct malocclusion and the related conditions that require jaw surgery.

We welcome your questions and encourage you to call us at 509-922-2273 or schedule your appointment today.

OUR PATIENT REVIEWS

  • The staff was great here. Both professional and fun to be around. I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled and my normal dentist said that the surgery was going to... read more

    James Story Avatar James Story
    January 29, 2020

    Dr. McClellan was great. His staff was so friendly and comforting. Kris and Justin took such great care of my son. I would highly recommend them!!!

    Hope Harper Avatar Hope Harper
    December 16, 2019
  • Had a tooth pulled Monday. Having no issues . Staff is very professional and helpful. Had a implant put in on 11/13/19. No pain what so ever staff very... read more

    Brent Lewis Avatar Brent Lewis
    December 16, 2019

    I felt very comfortable here. Staff are very nice and knowledgeable. They definitely made sure that I was aware all risk and care for before and after post surgery on... read more

    Saundra Bergquist Avatar Saundra Bergquist
    December 7, 2019
  • I felt very comfortable here. Staff are very nice and knowledgeable. They definitely made sure that I was aware all risk and care for before and after post surgery on... read more

    Saundra Bergquist Avatar Saundra Bergquist
    December 7, 2019

    Excellent service. Staff is amazing. I understood exactlly what was being done and everything went beyond my expectations. The Exparel pain relief is amazing no soreness in my mouth... read more

    Paul Carroll Avatar Paul Carroll
    December 6, 2019
  • Great hospitality. Super quick procedure for my wisdom teeth. In and out in less than an hour!

    Marvin Reyes Avatar Marvin Reyes
    November 22, 2019

    I love the doctors. Made the pre and post surgery easy and little to no pain. Also loved the helpful email reminders after my surgery

    Kaela DuChesne Avatar Kaela DuChesne
    November 16, 2019
  • Such a nice environment! Just had my wisdom teeth pulled out and it was such a good experience! They even called me later in the day to make sure I... read more

    KRISTINA FORD Avatar KRISTINA FORD
    November 10, 2019

    Had number 9 pulled. No pain no swelling, staff was very caring and pleasant.

    Jim Oxford Avatar Jim Oxford
    October 22, 2019
  • It was an amazing experience! Dr. McLelland made it very quick and there was hardly any pain. I was nervous about it being painful, but it hardly hurt at all!... read more

    Abi Michaelis Avatar Abi Michaelis
    August 16, 2019

    Went in for a FREE consultation and then I was told when leaving that I owed $127.00 for an X-ray that I did not ask for. I paid said bill and... read more

    Jeffrey Long Avatar Jeffrey Long
    July 19, 2019
  • I had an oral implant in May 2019, and from my original consult to pre-op to the actual procedure and post-op, I can say I am highly satisfied and impressed!... read more

    Vickie Dawson Avatar Vickie Dawson
    May 17, 2019

    Dr. McLelland and his staff are the best in the business. Dr. McLelland talks you through all the procedures. His staff is very attentive, kind and friendly

    Douglas Stewart Avatar Douglas Stewart
    April 11, 2019
  • I just love this place! Dr. Moody is awesome! And all the staff are friendly and caring. I have and will continue to recommend liberty to anyone seeking dental care.

    bridgette terrell Avatar bridgette terrell
    April 2, 2019

    I had 3 teeth extracted here, one being an impacted wisdom tooth. Dr. Moody did an amazing job. It was painless during the procedure and the procedure didn't take much... read more

    Kati Doney Avatar Kati Doney
    March 27, 2019
  • Amazing staff Bryan Mclelland was great would not go anywhere else. They got it down.

    Michael Phillips Avatar Michael Phillips
    March 18, 2019

    Dr. Jones pulled my wisdom tooth 4 days ago and it's healing perfectly. He forewarned me that my tooth was sitting close to a nerve that might result in facial... read more

    Becca B Avatar Becca B
    January 29, 2019
  • Wonderful caregivers. Make sure you are well educated on everything going on. Dr Mclelland is a very skilled surgeon and called later the day of to check up on my... read more

    Laura Wright Avatar Laura Wright
    January 25, 2019

    This was such a positive experience for me!...the staff at Liberty are absolutely attentive, concerned and wonderful...Thank you, Liberty Oral Surgery, for the comfort and speed of my tooth extraction!!

    Laineyrose7 Avatar Laineyrose7
    December 31, 2018