Orthodontic Surgery
Orthodontic surgery is often needed to correct jaw damage, impacted teeth, and very misaligned teeth. Our team at DFW Oral Surgeons has specialized in these kinds of operations for more than three decades. With advanced orthodontics, our dentists and their staff can drastically improve your teeth and jaws’ appearance and functionality.
What is Orthodontic Surgery?
Orthodontic surgery involves any operation performed on the bony structure of the mouth. Orthodontics can include bone grafts, extractions, tooth alignment, and some reconstructive treatments. We often recommend this option to patients who have severe problems with their jawbones and teeth.
Depending on your situation, we will perform your procedure in our operation room or at a local hospital. Because orthodontic surgery incorporates so many parts of the mouth, he will often work in conjunction with your general dentist or orthodontist. Together, we will find the best treatment for your smile!
When is Orthodontic Surgery Needed?
We recommend orthodontic surgery when there is no other alternative available. For instance, we would not operate on someone with mildly crooked teeth. Traditional options such as braces, retainers, and aligners are better for patients such as these. If traditional treatments have not worked for you in the past, or if your teeth and jaw are severely misaligned, you may be a candidate for this procedure.
We use orthodontic surgery to address:
- Crooked, uneven jaws
- Severely misaligned teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Overcrowding
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Facial trauma
What Is an Impacted Tooth and How Is It Treated?
Impaction occurs when a new tooth becomes stuck underneath another one. This often happens in children when their baby teeth do not fall out in time for the replacement to emerge. It can also occur when a new tooth grows at an irregular angle and becomes stuck under the gums or lodged beneath an adjacent tooth.
If an adult tooth becomes stuck underneath a baby tooth, we will need to perform an extraction. Removing baby teeth is generally a quick and straight-forward process.
If a tooth is beginning to grow at an angle, we can use surgical methods to open the gums and gently guide the tooth into place. To do this, we may attach a small metal chain to the new tooth and use it to pull the tooth in a better direction. If a tooth has already become impacted under another, we may need to remove it or reposition it to preserve the surrounding teeth.
Can You Realign My Jawline?
Yes! As children develop, their jawbones slowly grow and fuse. Unfortunately, sometimes one side of the jaw or another will grow at an unnatural rate, leading to portions of the bone being too small, too big, or crooked. With Orthodontic surgery, we can skillfully adjust the size and position of your jaw. Together, we can restore your bite’s functionality and enhance the appearance of your smile.
To learn more about all of our orthodontic options, please call our office at 972-947-5742, send us an email, or schedule an appointment online.