rigid fixation

LOWER JAW SURGERY, called a bilateral sagittal split osteomy (BSSO), can move your lower tooth jaw position either forward or backward to improve both your facial appearance and your bite.

Why Jaw Surgery?

Lower jaw growth is greatly influenced by genetics and often cannot be controlled. If you have a large lower jaw (mandibular prognathism), you may benefit in facial appearance and tooth function by having your lower jaw moved back. This is called a mandibular setback.

This procedure has many benefits, including:

• The lower jaw can be moved as desired to the ideal position
• Nothing shows outside of your mouth. Rigid Intraoral Fixation (RIF) tiny titanium plates are used so your jaw doesn’t need to be “wired shut” during healing
• Postsurgical healing is quick and stability is good

The chin can also be repositioned. This procedure is called a genioplasty. It is also done in about 30% of jaw surgery patients.

Is Jaw Surgery Right For You?

In Northern California, the cost of orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) is usually covered by medical insurance. Many patients have their jaw surgery treatment done at either Oakland Kaiser Hospital or UCSF Medical Center.

If you have questions regarding jaw surgery, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California at (925) 757-9000. Board certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca has been treating jaw surgery patients successfully for over 30 years. Visit us for a complimentary orthodontic examination and let us help you get the bite and facial appearance of your dreams.

Jaw surgery can save your smile. It can also improve your life.

Top image by Flickr user Elvert Barnes used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.