ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ABOUT ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

How do you say orthognathic?

Orthognathic has been pronounced both orthõ-nathic and orthög-nathic. ( õr-thõ-nath' ik, õr-thog' nãth' ik)

What does orthognathic mean?

Ortho is of Greek origins, it means straight, true or correct. Gnathic is Greek meaning related to the jaws. It therefore means correct jaws or essentially to make or have jaws that are correct in size, function and relation to each other and the facial skeleton.

Who needs orthognathic surgery?

Patients who’s teeth don’t bite correctly, underbites (class III malocclusion), overbites (class II malocclusion), open bite (where the front teeth don’t touch and can’t cut food or any teeth don’t touch when the teeth are biting together) and other bad bites (malocclusions) such as cross bites. Orthognathic surgery is also done just to move the bones of the face to correct skeletal deformities which may be causing problems. One such problem is obstructive sleep apnea. Moving the jaws can open the airway and help the patient breath. It can also correct facial disharmonies such as lip incompetence or unaesthetic smiles.

What are the benefits?

Improvement in the occlusion (bite) of the teeth and function of the jaws is the most common benefit. But other benefits include improved airway, lip function, overall oral health, correction of obstructive sleep apnea, and improved facial appearance and speech.

What if I need it but don’t want to have it done?

There may be some orthodontic (tooth movements) that could compensate for the malocclusion partially. These changes may produce undesirable effects, such as, periodontal recession, improper tooth wear and unattractive facial changes. Careful consideration of the entire dento-facial complex is important in reaching a decision.

What is involved?

Evaluation by Dr. Reynolds consists of history, physical exam, special x-rays and cephalometric work-up (measurement of the face and jaw bone). Also, evaluation by an orthodontist is needed because braces are part of the treatment.

Who can’t have it done?

Almost anyone. Some serious medical conditions may make the risk outweigh the benefits. Dr. Reynolds can give you a complete risk assessment at the time of consultation.

How long is surgery?

The surgery can range from 1 1/2 to 6 hours depending on the various type of surgical procedures involved. There may be several types of procedures involved in the surgery.

How long is the whole process?

About 2 years. The first step is 6 months to a year of pre-surgical orthodontics to set up the jaw and teeth for the surgery. Next the surgery takes place with approximately 3 months of healing along with post-surgical orthodontics which is completed over 3 months to a year.

Is it painful?

Post surgical pain is significant but it is well controlled by strong pain medicines. Pain medicine is rarely needed after 10 days.

How long do you have to take off from work or school etc?

Two weeks of free time is needed for post-surgical recovery. Some patients are able to return to semi-normal activities in only one week.

Does it ever relapse?

Yes. There is a chance that a type of arthritis in the joint can cause loss of bone that will change the bite. Carefully following post-operative instructions and regular follow-up is important.

What if it doesn’t turn out right?

If the planned surgical goals are not met then the patient may be taken back to surgery early in the post-operative period to improve the outcome.

Can you do all the same things or do you have restrictions once it’s fully healed?

After 6 months there are few restrictions and the bones will be fully mature at the 2 year mark. There are usually no restrictions after 6 months.

How much does it cost?

Depending on the complexity of the case, it can cost from $7,000.00 to $60,000.00 which includes all costs (hospital, surgical, hardware, and orthodontic). We try our best to give you an accurate estimate of all the costs (several of which are not under our control).

Does medical insurance cover it?

Sometimes. We make exceptional efforts to help the patient retrieve insurance benefits.