Surgical Orthodontics
Does “orthodontic surgery” give you horrible visions of drinking a cheeseburger through a straw?
Now that we’ve implanted that thought into your head, try to brush it aside and make room for modern-day orthodontic surgery.
not necessary for most people
When is orthodontic surgery needed?
Surgical orthodontics is used to correct severe facial and bone problems in some patients. The type of condition that may require surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, generally stems from a problem with the upper jaw.
Some examples of when orthodontic surgery may be a benefit:
- Severe overbite correction
- Severe underbite correction
- TMJ pain
- Abnormalities of the jaw bone
- Other complex cases involving the face, skull, jaw and mouth
Those with improper bites or aesthetic concerns may benefit the most from surgical orthodontics. But there is still a possibility that we can treat these issues non-surgically.
Dr. Sudit can tell you if orthognathic surgery is something worth considering as a treatment option and will work with you to find the right course of treatment.
And, if you’ve been wondering if braces can change your jawline or change your face, the answer is that braces alone cannot change the overall shape of your face.
TMJ & Orthodontics
Nothing ruins a lovely meal like TMJ pain
Among the most common, irritating and difficult to diagnose problems with head and neck pain are temporal mandibular joint problems, more commonly known as TMJ problems.
the temporomandibular joint
What is TMJ?
The joint located near the ear where the top of the lower jaw (mandible) meets the upper jaw at the base of the skull is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Like all other joints in the body, the TMJ is subject to inflammation and other chronic joint problems.
The Cause
What Causes TMJ?
Jaw pain may be caused by destructive bite habits like clenching or grinding or lots and lots of gum chewing. We bet Violet Beauregarde suffered from TMJ.
These actions cause pressure on the joint that can lead to inflammation and general breakdown of the joint itself.
The Solution
Can braces or Invisalign fix TMJ?
Many times, yes. But what makes TMJ problems difficult to diagnose and treat properly is the fact that the symptoms vary widely in both location and severity.
Symptoms can range from a slight clicking in the jaw with no pain to severe head and neck pain that is not relieved by medication.
Once diagnosed properly, however, treatments include everything from simple placement of a nightguard, which prevents pressure on the joint, to surgical intervention in more severe cases.
If you think you’re having TMJ clicking or TMJ pain, contact us. Dr. Sudit is a TMJ Orthodontist who has first hand experience at diagnosing this widely variable and very common issue.
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