Have you been told you have a bad bite or misaligned jaw? When we discuss your “bite,” we’re talking about jaw bite alignment and how your upper and lower jaw come together, also known as occlusion. You may have a bad bite if you experience pain, discomfort, or sensitivity when you bite down or chew. Furthermore, If you experience jaw pain, headaches, neck pain, ear pain, difficulty brushing or flossing, or find yourself grinding your teeth, these can all be signs of a misaligned jaw.
Malocclusion is considered by The World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the most important oral health problems behind caries and periodontal disease. If you are dealing with improper jaw bite alignment, you are not alone. It is estimated that between 39% and 93% of children and adolescents suffer from dental malocclusions. The good news is that there are solutions available, and the sooner we identify and correct the issues, the less invasive and expensive the treatments need to be.
Early orthodontic treatment can reduce the risks of future oral health issues down the line, including crooked or crowded teeth or gaps. It can also prevent the need for future orthodontic treatment throughout adolescence or adulthood. That’s why we take a proactive approach to orthodontic treatment at Orthodontists Associates of Western New York. By utilizing the latest technology available, our Buffalo orthodontists are able to provide safe and efficient treatments catered to every patient’s individual needs and goals. If you or someone you love is suffering from jaw bite alignment issues, don’t wait; schedule a free consultation today.
What Happens if Jaw Bite Alignment Issues Are Left Untreated?
If your misaligned jaw goes untreated, it can lead to a myriad of oral health issues that can get progressively worse as time goes on. These issues include chronic pain, trouble eating, breathing, sleeping, or talking. Untreated malocclusion can also cause dental problems like decayed teeth and the development of gum disease. It can also lead to further shifting or misalignment, which could require more invasive surgery or treatment in the future. It’s always best to correct any malocclusions as early as possible to save time and money and prevent further health complications.
Treatment Options for Misaligned Jaw
There are several treatment options available for jaw bite alignment issues. If the issue is severe, surgical orthodontics may be warranted. Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery, can help move your teeth and jaw into a more balanced and functional position, thereby improving your health, appearance, breathing, and speech.
We provide several treatments for jaw bite alignment. Common treatments that fall under the umbrella of surgical orthodontics include:
Mandibular advancement – This means that you have an underdeveloped lower jaw. This creates an overbite. In surgical orthodontics, incisions are made so that the jaws can be properly aligned.
Mandibular setback – Mandibular setback means that your upper jaw is underdeveloped. This causes you to have an underbite. Much like with mandibular advancement, surgery aims to correct the jaw bite alignment and improve your bite.
Maxillary advancement – Maxillary advancement creates a form of underbite that’s known as a crossbite. The incisions for this condition are usually made in the mouth on the upper jaw near where it would line up with the eye sockets.
Maxillary setback – Maxillary setback creates a form of an overbite that’s known as an overjet. This surgery actually isn’t as common as a mandibular setback, although they may seem similar to you as a patient. With maxillary setback, overjet is caused by the fact that the lower jaw simply did not grow enough.
Openbite – An open bite is known as maxillary impaction. The objective of surgical orthodontics is to correct the space between the front and back teeth when you bite down. Bone from the upper jaw is removed and placed higher in order to help correct the problem. The lower jaw is repositioned as well for better jaw bite alignment.
Gummy smile – A gummy smile means that when you smile, a large amount of gum is displayed when compared with others. A portion of the upper jaw bone may be moved and placed higher to pull the gums up and lessen the amount of gum displayed when you smile.
Chin advancement – Chin advancement is used for patients who have a weak jawline. This can be used to do more than strengthen the jawline. It can also be used to help fix the bite of the patient. Depending on the initial diagnosis, you may not need further orthodontic treatment after this procedure.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today
If you or someone you love is suffering from jaw bite alignment issues or are experiencing pain in your jaw when performing your regular daily activities, we recommend scheduling a free consultation with our orthodontists so we can help identify the root of the problem.
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York is proud to offer surgical orthodontic treatment throughout Buffalo, Lancaster, Olean, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Dunkirk, East Aurora, and Niagara Falls, New York. If you have questions about how surgical orthodontic treatments can help with jaw bite alignment, please contact one of our seven convenient orthodontic offices to arrange a free consultation.
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