Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic Surgery at Virginia Braces and Aligners

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, involves surgical procedures for correcting the imbalance of the upper or lower jaw. At Virginia Braces and Invisalign Center, we use these procedures for treating abnormalities where the teeth don’t fit together properly, to improve the balance of your face, or if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Studies show that around 15% of patients have dental or jaw abnormalities that are not manageable with braces alone.

Conditions That May Require Orthognathic Surgery

Our specialized orthodontists have years of training and experience in orthognathic surgery. We provide individualized and supportive care at each step of the treatment. Our patients often require orthognathic surgery for various craniofacial syndromes and conditions, including:

  • syndromic craniosynostosis

  • cleft lip & cleft palate

  • Treacher Collins syndrome

  • Hemifacial microsomia

  • Nager syndrome

  • Miller syndrome

Many times, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment may experience an imbalance of the jaw that interferes with their bite. It may be impossible to correct this imbalance without repositioning their jaws.

Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery

  • Improved Bite & Smile: Orthodontics can help align the teeth, but may not be able to fix an under-bite, overbite, open bite, or cross-bite if the jaw has developmental issues. This is where orthognathic surgery can help by improving your smile and bite.

  • Preventing Dental Problems: When you have misaligned jaws, it can cause damage to your teeth and increase the risk of dental crowding or gum disease. Corrective jaw surgery helps prevent these problems from developing.

  • Improved Facial Balance: When the jaws are properly moved and aligned, it will bring greater balance to your facial features.

  • Overcome TMJ Symptoms: When the temporomandibular joint slips out of place, it can cause discomfort when chewing or speaking. If you suffer from severe cases of TMJ disorder, the surgery can help restore the join to its proper functionality.

Orthognathic Surgery can also help treat sleep apnea and recover from a trauma to the face. We have offices in Arlington, Mechanicsville, Charlottesville, Ruckersville, and Woodbridge.