Corrective jaw surgery can resolve many dental issues and prevent future problems from developing. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if you have finished growing and can’t correct certain dental issues with orthodontics alone. Here are four reasons why you should consider having corrective jaw surgery.

Bite Misalignment Correction

Problems with the jaw may be throwing your bite out of alignment. Surgery can help place your upper and lower teeth in the right positions.

Bite misalignment can make it more difficult for you to chew food. Any misalignment issues might also cause you to bite your lips, tongues or the insides of your cheeks while chewing and leave injuries. Your jaw may also not be closing properly because your molars touch but your front teeth don’t when biting down.

Pain Relief

A surgical procedure can also provide pain relief to the jaw, neck and other areas of the body that are commonly affected when a jaw is out of alignment. By resolving problems with the jaw, the bone and tissue structures in and around the mouth can function properly with less strain.

According to Mayo Clinic, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can result from jaw problems that are often correctible with surgery. Many people who undergo procedures also experience relief from chronic headaches.

Teeth Preservation

Abnormalities of the jaw can even wreak havoc on your teeth. If your bite is affected, your teeth might be enduring undue strain that could cause them to wear down prematurely.

The right dental procedure can save your teeth from further damage. Surgery can be performed to realign your jaw so that the force of each bite is distributed more evenly between each tooth.

Facial Symmetry Improvement

Even your facial appearance can be improved with jaw surgery. Jaw abnormalities often cause certain parts of the face to look uneven, and you’ll likely notice greater facial symmetry following your procedure.

Common jaw problems that can make the face look less symmetrical include underbites and overbites. Certain jaw abnormalities also cause the bottom jaw to appear bigger and wider than normal, and certain surgical techniques can fix this problem. Corrective surgery may also enhance cheek symmetry.

You’ll be able to experience these improvements and more after you’ve had corrective jaw surgery. By visiting Donald E. Snyder Orthodontics or another dental care provider in your area, you can have your jaw abnormalities resolved.