Dr. Estes and her team are committed to ensuring each patient and their families receive excellent care using state-of-the-art treatment options.
Keep in mind that orthodontists do not perform complex invasive surgical procedures. Our area of expertise deals with appliances and realigning our patients’ teeth and jaws.
However, some cases require more drastic actions if we aim to correct developmental or bone growth issues. On occasion, your orthodontic treatment will require surgery, and for that, we have to coordinate care with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial is one of several dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Good orthodontists recognize their limitations. We want to make sure we realign your teeth and jaws to achieve an ideal relation between your teeth depending on several factors. However, some conditions can make your treatment very challenging.
If your orthodontist notices the need for extensive corrective surgical procedures, they will gladly step back and consult with the appropriate specialist. You may need such specialized treatment if you:
Here at Estes Orthodontics, we strive to provide our patients with the best orthodontic care possible. Neighbors from Richmond, Berkeley, and El Cerrito can come to our office in Albany, CA.
The best way to know if you are a candidate for surgical orthodontics is to visit a trained orthodontist in Albany, El Cerrito & Richmond.
We will always try to help our patients with a minimally invasive procedure using orthodontic appliances such as traditional braces or clear aligners. Still, if the patient requires complex surgical interventions, we will coordinate with qualified specialists for your benefit.
As part of your treatment plan, your orthodontist will explain if you need surgery and how it can benefit your smile.
First of all, it means carefully coordinated work between a specialized team of dental health professionals and you, the patient. Our skillful orthodontists in Albany will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine if your surgery should come before, after, or in-between sessions of orthodontic treatment.
These surgical procedures need a hospital setting, and they can take several hours (depending on case specifics). You should also keep in mind that patients require anesthesia during these treatments. You can learn more about how professionals administer anesthesia and some general recommendations following this link to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).
Please remember that you will need a two-week rest period to allow the jaw to heal properly. Orthognathic surgery and other oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures are major endeavors. We advise you to schedule time off from work or school to allow for proper healing.
Any surgical endeavor involves risks. However, these are mostly routine procedures performed in a safe setting by a specialist. Your surgeon and their staff are willing to answer any questions you have and address any concerns before your procedure.
The main benefit of surgical orthodontics is gaining a healthy smile that can stand the test of time. The benefits go beyond cosmetic perks; along with orthodontic treatments, you will recover the critical functionality of your dental structures.
Surgically moving your jaws can also be an effective treatment for sleep apnea. If you think you may have sleep apnea, work with your primary care physician to have a sleep study test done and see if orthognathic surgery could improve your symptoms.
Oral surgery is a term that covers several procedures ranging from simple extractions to surgical interventions that require general anesthesia. Adults are the ones who usually need these complex procedures though younger patients may need them as well.
Recovery can vary a lot, depending on the nature of the procedure you needed. In almost all cases, patients will be able to return home on the same day. Still, they should make arrangements to return home because we do not advise them to drive if they needed general anesthesia during oral surgery.
The need for surgical procedures ranges from patients in need of simple tooth extraction to patients whose jaws have not grown properly. Depending on the severity of your orthodontic condition, you may be eligible for surgical procedures to help solve the problems instead of only using appliances.
Surgical orthodontics is a more complicated procedure aiming to correct problems with a patients’ jaw development. This type of procedure seeks to fix issues that affect a patient’s bite and speech.
If the procedure is too invasive, you will need general anesthesia. The purpose of using an anesthetic during these surgical procedures is to help the patient relax, minimize the sensation of pain, and allow the professionals to work without interruptions that might complicate the treatment.
Dr. Estes and her team are committed to ensuring each patient and their families receive excellent care using state-of-the-art treatment options.