Correct Jaw Irregularities with Surgical Orthodontics
While many orthodontic treatments focus on the teeth, the jaw is important too. Jaw irregularities such as a protruding or receding jaw can contribute to numerous life-altering issues, including:
Dr. Rothstein on Surgical Orthodontics
Read Transcript So, surgical orthodontics means that once we're done growing, we're done growing. And so, if we can't control growth, certain people's overall facial structure can be off a little bit, from an orthodontic perspective, and certain things literally can only be treated by putting things back into a proper relationship together. And so, the only way to do that sometimes is to actually use an—to work with an oral surgeon to help us, essentially, position things. So in other words, if your jaw's back here, if your mandible's back here and your upper is up here, I can't push all of these teeth forward, there's a limit to everything. So what we would have to do is bring the lower jaw forward to match the top, sometimes, and the way to do that would be through jaw surgery. And actually, one of our assistants has had one, not with us actually, she just happened to start working with us and she said, “I had a jaw surgery.“
So, they're really effective and they're really dramatic, and it's a full facial change. So the people that come out of them, it sounds a lot scarier than it is I think, kind of like anything with the word “surgery.” And it is a nice. It’s a big procedure but at the same time, the results are really fantastic and so, it allows us to correct bites that are otherwise, uncorrectable with orthodontics through a combination of using orthodontics and surgery to position things properly. And the patients are always really happy in the end, after they get over that first week of healing. I think at first, they're going, “Oh my gosh, what did I do?“ And then they come, they heal up, and they look awesome. It's really cool.
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Sleep apnea
- TMJ disorders
- Breathing problems
- Speech impediments
- Facial irregularities
While we don’t perform surgery ourselves, we work closely with an oral surgeon and a periodontist to correct jaw irregularities and issues with your bones and gums that impact your health. To find out more about how surgical orthodontics can transform your smile – and your life – for the better, call our Boca Raton, FL or Coral Springs, FL orthodontist office at 561-327-6775.
We Coordinate with an Oral Surgeon for Surgical Orthodontics
When your jaw moves as it does with orthodontic surgery, your teeth will need to move too. And that’s where we come in. Typically, we’ll use braces to move your teeth in a process that takes six to 18 months. You’ll check in regularly with Dr. Peter Wohlgemuth or Dr. Ira Rothstein throughout your treatment to ensure your teeth are moving into the desired positions.
You’ll then have surgery to place your jaws into the proper alignment. The surgeon will reposition your jaw forward or backward, as needed, or possibly lower or raise it. The surgeon may augment the jaw with additional bone. Once your jaws are aligned, your teeth should fit into their proper positions. Your facial appearance will likely improve, and you may be able to breathe or eat more easily. You may also get relief from chronic jaw pain or headaches.
After a healing period of usually four to eight weeks, Dr. Wohlgemuth or Dr. Rothstein will make final adjustments to your bite. You can expect to get your braces removed within six to 12 months following surgery. And we’ll likely suggest a retainer to maintain your beautiful new smile.
There is no other dentist you can trust in the area, Dr. Wohlgemuth or Dr. Rothstein are active members of professional organizations like American Association of Orthodontists, Florida Association of Orthodontists and American Dental Association, to name a few.
You Can Relax Working With Our Experienced Orthodontists
Because surgical orthodontics involves a pretty complex treatment process, you’ll feel better working with experienced orthodontists like Dr. Wohlgemuth and Dr. Rothstein. Both of them graduated near the top of their respective classes in dental school, and they have improved thousands of smiles in their combined 35-plus years of practicing dentistry.
To find out if you can benefit from surgical orthodontics, call Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or use our online form. We’re located in the Somerset Shoppes in Boca Raton, FL, and we have a second office in Coral Springs, FL.
