Orthognathic Surgery

Improve Your Jaw and Facial Appearance

Most people who seek orthodontic treatment want to accomplish a few goals. In general, many people just want their teeth to look good, and your orthodontist wants that as well. The orthodontist, however, also wants the teeth to fit together well or improve your occlusion. Orthodontists have a defined area to work, namely the anatomic limitations of the jaws.

Sometimes a patient’s bite is off, not only because the teeth are in the wrong position, but also the relationship of the underlying jaws is misaligned. The jaw discrepancies and subsequent malocclusions will lead to difficulty eating certain foods and can lead to long term wear on teeth since the teeth are not properly aligned. In these circumstances, orthognathic surgery may be an option.

Orthognathic Surgery Treatment Options

The normal sequence of treatment in these cases starts with the orthodontist who will try to align your teeth directly over the jaws. Many times, a patient’s bite will worsen during this preoperative phase. Once the orthodontist has completed the presurgical phase, the surgery is performed.

The surgery itself may involve addressing the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or a combination of the two. In essence, the jaws are moved into a more favorable relationship with one another and the surrounding bony structures. This procedure is typically performed in a hospital setting and requires 1-2 weeks of downtime.

Once a patient has healed from the surgery (usually 6-8 weeks), they will return to their orthodontist who will complete the postsurgical phase of treatment. This usually lasts another 6 months depending on the circumstances. Orthognathic surgery can be used in these circumstances, but also may be used to treat obstructive sleep apnea in severe cases.

Overbite/Underbite Correction

Common types of surgery to correct underbites and overbites include reshaping to lengthen the upper jaw or shorten the lower jaw. In select cases, the use of wires, plates, or screws may be required to maintain the proper shape of the jawbone.

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Maxillomandibular Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Many surgeries exist for the management of OSA including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, nasal septoplasty, uvulopharyngopalatoplasty, and many others. One of the surgical options is maxillomandibular advancement. In this procedure, both upper and lower jaws are repositioned in a more forward relationship which ultimately increases the volume of the airway in three dimensions to lessen or even eliminate any airway obstruction during sleep.

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Coordinated Care for Your Needs

You can be confident in the care provided at Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to always put your best interest at the forefront. 

Contact our practice online or reach out at (865) 240-2977 to learn more about our surgical procedures for the misalignment of the jaw and severe sleep apnea. 

Testimonials From Our Patients

We are proud to be able to provide our patients with access to first-rate surgical care, cutting-edge procedures, and an overall outstanding experience.  

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Our Office Locations

We have two office locations in Knoxville, TN.

West Knoxville Location

6207 Highland Pl Way, Ste 207
Knoxville, TN 37919
Directions

Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Phone: (865) 584-6207

North Knoxville Location

2939 Essary Dr, Ste 1
Knoxville, TN 37918
Directions

Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Phone: (865) 240-2977

North Knoxville

West Knoxville