There are multiple reasons jaw, or orthognathic, surgery may be needed:
The jaw is made up of two bones, the maxilla (upper jaw) and the mandible (lower jaw).
Common jaw deformities are class II occlusion (the mandible is too short) and class III (the mandible is too long).
Deformity, misalignment, or damage to the jaw bones can cause pain, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, difficulty chewing, snoring, or even annoying sounds like clicking when talking or eating. Surgery is often used to correct these issues.
Dr. Green performs the following surgical procedures:
Often, both jaw surgeries are required to fix deformities because most of the time, both jaws are affected. The upper and lower jaws can both be moved in multiple directions to correct the deformities.
Snoring caused by sleep apnea isn’t just an annoyance, it’s a potentially fatal condition that requires treatment using a CPAP machine to keep the patient breathing while sleeping.
Dr. Green offers a surgical option for sleep apnea sufferers who don’t want to use CPAP or aren’t a good candidate for less invasive options like the Pillar Procedure.
The extent of surgery depends on your personal case. Some people require major surgery to fix the problem, while others may only need minor movements of the jaw.
Accidents or other types of traumatic injury to the jaw can cause changes in appearance or difficulty chewing. Dr. Green repairs the jaw and other facial bones to correct damage caused by trauma.
Degenerative changes from arthritis or autoimmune disease can damage the mandibular joint, requiring repair. This type of jaw surgery is only performed once the disease process is finished. Dr. Green will work with your physician to determine when surgery is recommended.
All jaw surgery is performed under general anesthesia at either at Medical City Alliance or Texas Health Harris Methodist hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Most patients stay one night after surgery.
Generally, you need a week off from school or work to recuperate. You will be on a full liquid diet for 4-6 weeks and not be allowed to chew anything during that time.
You will receive pre- and post-op instructions at your pre-surgical consultation.
If the maxilla must be widened, your mouth may be wired shut, either completely or partially, for 2-4 weeks. This isn’t painful but it can be annoying.
Like all surgical procedures, there are risks of complications with jaw surgery.
We understand that major surgery and the risks involved can be scary. If you are concerned about complications, please discuss these with Dr. Green during your consultation. He will answer your questions so you feel comfortable with your decision. Most consultations last approximately an hour so you have plenty of time to discuss your concerns.
If you have difficulty chewing or are suffering from jaw pain or sleep apnea, please contact us for a consultation to see if a surgical option is right for you. Phone us at (817) 237-7557 to schedule an appointment. Second opinion appointments are always welcome.
We accept most dental insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and CareCredit. See our financing options page for more information.
