When Is a Jaw Restoration Necessary?

When Is a Jaw Restoration Necessary?

By: Hillside Dental
Posted on: May 19, 2023

Mouth restoration can involve surgery to fix the jaw and other facial features. A jaw or orthognathic surgery can fix several oral issues affecting the upper and lower jaw. An oral exam allows the surgeon to determine and create the best treatment plan. Personalized jaw restoration can help restore oral function and improve facial appearance, as well as prevent chronic pain or discomfort. 

 

Correct Improper Bite

Poor bone structure can result in an improper bite. Dentists often recommend braces, tooth extractions, and other dental procedures before recommending surgery. Jaw restoration helps correct severe issues of dental misalignment. If the misalignment is due to bone structure, orthodontic treatment may not fix the issue. Oral surgery helps patients with severe open bites, crossbites, overbites, and underbites. 

Chronic Jaw Pain

You can benefit from jaw restoration if you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or chronic jaw pain. The condition impacts normal jaw movement. Patients experience pain when chewing or opening their mouths. 

 

They may suffer from jaw lock and other uncomfortable symptoms. Noninvasive solutions such as mouthguards, retainers, and other orthodontic devices can help treat mild cases. However, severe cases often require jaw restoration surgery. 

 

Protruding or Receding Jaw

Jaw restoration can help treat a protruding or receding jaw. Some individuals have lower and upper jaws that do not align. It often occurs when the jawbones fail to develop properly. A protruding lower jaw occurs when the lower jaw is overdeveloped or the upper jaw is underdeveloped.

 

A receding jaw results from an underdeveloped lower jaw. Developmental disorders can limit jawbone growth or cause overdevelopment, but jaw surgery can correct the issue.

 

Treating Facial Injury

A car crash, fall, or sporting accident can lead to head or facial injuries. Apart from knocked-out teeth, cuts, and other issues, facial injury can result in a broken jaw. Some jaw injuries do not heal on their own. 

Jaw restoration may be necessary to correct the problem. Surgery can restore jaw function and appearance. The surgeon will examine the extent of the injury to create a customized treatment plan. 

Removing Growths or Tumors

The jaw has bones, muscles, glands, and other tissues that help the jaw function. Like other body parts, the jaw is susceptible to tumors and cysts. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing growths. 

The growths may be benign but can leave the face deformed and unappealing. An oral surgeon can remove the growths, improving the facial appearance. If it is cancerous, the patient may require additional treatment.

If orthodontics cannot correct your oral issues, your dentist may recommend jaw reconstruction. Contact an oral surgeon who will assess your condition to determine if you need surgery. Your regular dentist can recommend a jaw reconstruction specialist. 

The procedure can help correct the facial imbalance, enhancing your overall appearance. Jaw restoration can also improve jaw function and relieve pain and discomfort. Surgeons perform jaw reconstruction after growth stops. 

For more on when jaw restoration is necessary, contact Hillside Dental at our Las Vegas, Nevada office. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 666-8584 if you are a new patient and (702) 895-7799 if you are an existing patient.