Pre Orthodontic Surgery

Orthodontic treatments like braces and retainers are effective in solving various problems affecting the smile. However, in some cases, an orthodontist may recommend surgical treatment before the orthodontics are installed. This kind of surgery is called pre-orthodontic surgery. At Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants, our surgeons are adequately equipped and experienced to assess and perform pre-orthodontic surgery. Visit our practice today and have your dental issues fixed by a professional.

What Is Pre-Orthodontic Surgery?

Pre-orthodontic surgery is typically performed before orthodontic treatment to correct skeletal and structural issues in the jaw. The surgery aims to correct problems that cannot be fully resolved by the proposed orthodontic treatments.The procedures involved are quite complex and are usually performed by maxillofacial surgeons with extensive experience in facial structures, jaws, mouth, and facial tissues. The specialist surgeons also collaborate with orthodontists when planning the surgery.

Why Undergo Pre-Orthodontic Surgery?

While braces and aligners are almost always successful in correcting teeth alignment issues, they only work where the jawbone is in optimal condition. For instance, braces will not work well when there are significant size differences between the upper and lower jaws. Other issues that may necessitate surgery include impacted teeth, cleft palate, significant teeth crowding, and severe jawbone resorption.Regardless of where the problem lies, pre-orthodontic surgery has three major benefits. First, it improves the bite. A healthy and well-aligned bite ensures even distribution of pressure on the braces and further reduces the unnecessary strain on the jaw muscles when you chew. Additionally, pre-orthodontic surgery helps to position the teeth and the skeletal tissue in ideal positions for orthodontics placement. This reduces the amount of time it takes to install the orthodontics and also eliminates the chances of relapse. Most importantly, pre-orthodontic surgery can shorten the orthodontic treatment period. It fixes a lot of the problems that orthodontics may struggle to solve on their own, such as severely misaligned teeth or a pronounced over- or underbite.

Recovering from Pre-Orthodontic Surgery

Being a major surgery, full recovery from pre-orthodontic surgery usually takes several months and requires a great deal of dedication and discipline. To manage the initial pain and discomfort, your surgeon will prescribe pain medication, and you can use ice packs to help with the post-op swelling. Afterward, you will need to stick to a soft food diet for several weeks. While at it, you will want to avoid sugary foods and drinks, as sugar can increase inflammation and bacterial levels in the mouth. Alcohol and cigarettes also have similar effects and are also not recommended.While maintaining your regular oral hygiene routine will probably be difficult after pre-orthodontic surgery, it is still crucial to preventing infection. You also need to rest as much as possible and avoid any taxing activities for up to a month after the surgery.

Transform Your Smile!

Pre-orthodontic surgery is a life-changing experience, and you want to have it done by qualified and skilled surgeons. At Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants, we specialize in comprehensive dental and orthodontic care, including pre-surgical orthodontics. Book a consultation with one of our dentists today at 847-677-6647 to learn more about the procedure.