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JAW SURGERY

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

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