Posted on 2/21/2022 by Oral Surgery Specialists of Austin
Malocclusions are conditions that involve the lower and upper teeth misalignments such as overbites and reverse bites. A misaligned jaw presents many problems, including difficulty chewing and swallowing food, chronic jaw pain or TMJ, problems with speech, and lower teeth protruding beyond the upper teeth. The misalignment of the jaw may also involve the upper teeth protruding more than normal and the presence of spaces between the lower and upper teeth. Treatment for jaw misalignment may have to delay until a patient stops growing. Treatment may include:
Braces
Some people with jaw misalignment may correct the problem with braces. These oral appliances comprise brackets cemented onto the patient's teeth and joined with wire. Braces gently move the jaw and teeth to alignment. Sometimes, a maxillofacial surgeon may utilize braces to prepare a patient for jaw surgery.
Upper Jaw Expander
An upper jaw expander helps gradually widen your upper jaw. It is used to correct an underbite and it can be removed after let's say 12 months. The specialist fits the jaw expander along the upper palate whereby it is adjusted nightly.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
While some jaw misalignment issues can be corrected using nonsurgical procedures, for others, surgery provides the best solution. An oral surgeon can perform corrective jaw surgery on the upper jaw, chin, and lower jaw. The procedure takes some time in preparation and healing. If jaw misalignment is beginning to interfere with things like eating, speaking, or breathing, you can opt for this surgical procedure.
Request an appointment with our oral and maxillofacial specialist to find out more about jaw misalignment treatment options. After examining your jaw and the teeth, we will determine the most appropriate treatment and procedure to perform to restore your bite function and look. After corrective jaw surgery, our team may fit braces to continue shifting or moving the jaw and the treatment may take several years, but the surgery itself can heal in about 12 months.
Dental Implants Austin • Dental Blog • Oral Surgery Specialists We perform a variety of procedures in order to correct injuries, defects, and diseases to the head, face, neck, jaws, and tissues of the oral region. Read our Blog! Oral Surgery Specialists of Austin, 5301 Davis Ln, Suite 102, Austin, Texas 78749 : (512) 547-6852 : ossaustin.com : 3/19/2025 : Page Keywords: Dental Implants Austin TX :
Malocclusions are conditions that involve the lower and upper teeth misalignments such as overbites and reverse bites. A misaligned jaw presents many problems, including difficulty chewing and swallowing food, chronic jaw pain or TMJ, problems with speech, and lower teeth protruding beyond the upper teeth. The misalignment of the jaw may also involve the upper teeth protruding more than normal and the presence of spaces between the lower and upper teeth. Treatment for jaw misalignment may have to delay until a patient stops growing. Treatment may include: