Severe overbites and underbites can affect more than the appearance of your smile. When the upper and lower jaws don’t align correctly, chewing, speaking, jaw function, and long-term oral health may also suffer. For some Adelaide patients, dental braces in Adelaide can correct tooth positioning, but braces alone may not be enough when the underlying problem involves the jaw bones. In these cases, orthodontic treatment may be combined with jaw surgery to achieve a more balanced bite and facial structure. This approach, known as surgical orthodontics, requires careful planning by an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
When Braces Alone May Not Be Enough
Braces are highly effective for moving teeth into healthier positions. However, they cannot change the size, shape or position of the adult jaw bones.
A severe overbite may occur when the upper jaw or teeth sit significantly ahead of the lower jaw. An underbite, meanwhile, can develop when the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw. In complex cases, simply moving the teeth may not fully address the skeletal imbalance.
Your Adelaide orthodontist may assess your bite, facial profile, jaw relationship and dental health before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
How Surgical Orthodontics Works
Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery. The braces are generally used before surgery to align the teeth and prepare the bite, while surgery addresses the underlying skeletal discrepancy.
Treatment is typically planned in stages:
1. Orthodontic assessment: Your orthodontist examines your teeth and the relationship between your teeth and jaw using clinical assessments and appropriate diagnostic records.
2. Pre-surgical braces: Braces gradually position the teeth to prepare them for surgery.
3. Orthognathic surgery: A specialist surgeon repositions the jaw bones to improve their relationship.
4. Post-surgical orthodontics: Further brace adjustments help establish a stable, functional bite.
This coordinated approach is often considered when a significant jaw discrepancy cannot be corrected through orthodontic tooth movement alone.
What to Expect from Orthognathic Surgery Braces
Orthognathic surgery braces require a longer-term commitment than routine orthodontic treatment because they address both the teeth and jaw relationship.
Your treatment plan will depend on factors such as the severity of the bite problem, jaw development, tooth position and overall oral health. Your orthodontic team should explain the expected stages, treatment objectives, potential risks and recovery requirements before treatment begins.
For patients considering dental braces in Adelaide, choosing an experienced orthodontic team matters, especially when orthodontics and jaw surgery need to work together.
Benefits of a Combined Approach
When appropriate, combining orthodontics with jaw surgery can address both the dental and skeletal components of a severe bite problem.
Potential goals may include:
● Improving the alignment and function of the bite
● Creating better coordination between the upper and lower jaws
● Improving chewing and speech in appropriate cases
● Supporting a more balanced facial profile
● Establishing a stable foundation for long-term orthodontic results
Benefits vary from patient to patient, so an individual assessment is essential.
Finding the Right Treatment in Adelaide
Not every overbite or underbite requires surgery. Mild and moderate bite problems can often be managed with orthodontic treatment alone, depending on the individual circumstances.
If you have been told that your bite is too complex for braces alone, ask an Adelaide orthodontist whether surgical orthodontics could be appropriate. A comprehensive consultation can help determine whether dental braces in Adelaide, jaw surgery, or a combination of both is the right path for your needs.
Conclusion
Severe overbites and underbites sometimes involve the jaw as well as the teeth. Orthognathic surgery braces combine orthodontic tooth movement with corrective jaw surgery to address complex skeletal and dental problems. If you are exploring dental braces in Adelaide for a significant bite discrepancy, arrange an assessment with an experienced orthodontic team to discuss your options and create a personalised treatment plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can braces fix a severe overbite without surgery?
Some overbites can be corrected with orthodontics alone. If the problem is primarily skeletal and significant, however, we may recommend jaw surgery alongside braces.
2. What is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery to address complex dental and skeletal bite problems.
3. What are orthognathic surgery braces?
Orthognathic surgery braces are braces used as part of a treatment plan involving corrective jaw surgery. They help prepare and refine tooth alignment before and after the procedure.
4. How long does treatment take?
Treatment length varies significantly depending on the complexity of the bite, orthodontic requirements, surgical needs and individual healing.
5. Do all underbites require jaw surgery?
No. Some underbites can be treated with orthodontics alone, while severe skeletal discrepancies may require a combined orthodontic and surgical approach.