Dr. Simona C. Arcan, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 16511 Goldenwest Street #109, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 847-9000 www.arcanoralsurgery.com

Orthognathic surgery (pronounced /ˌɔrθɒɡˈnæθɪk/; us dict: ôr′·thŏg·năth′·ĭk) is surgery to correct conditions of the jaw and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, TMJ disorders or to correct orthodontic problems that cannot be easily treated with braces. Originally coined by Dr. Harold Hargis, D.M.D., it is also used in treatment of congenital conditions like cleft palate.[1] Bones can be cut and re-aligned, held in place with either screws or plates and screws. read full article

Orthognathic surgery is needed when jaws don't meet correctly and/or teeth don't seem to fit with jaws. Teeth are straightened with orthodontics, and corrective jaw surgery repositions misaligned jaws. This not only improves facial appearance, but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly.

Jaw growth is a gradual process and, in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaw and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics alone can correct bite problems if only the teeth are involved, orthognathic surgery may be required if the jaws also need repositioning.

Difficulty in the following areas should be evaluated :
• Difficulty In Chewing, Biting or Swallowing
• Speech Problems
• Chronic Jaw or TMJ Pain
• Open Bite
• Protruding Jaw
• Breathing Problems