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Orthognathic Surgery

Quality Care From Your Longview & Vancouver, WA Orthodontist

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Dr. Lauren Cai is an esteemed family orthodontist in Longview and Vancouver, who is dedicated to helping her patients achieve their best possible smiles. While Dr. Cai can use orthodontic appliances to correct many different problems that relate to the bite and teeth, sometimes orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery is necessary to correct skeletal and dental irregularities.

Orthognathic surgery is performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental issues, including the misalignment of the teeth and jaws. This surgery can improve chewing, speaking, and breathing. While patients undergoing this surgery can see dramatic improvements in their appearance, orthognathic surgery's main goal is to correct functional problems with the jaws and teeth.

 

Who Can Benefit From Orthognathic Surgery

Family dentists and orthodontists like Dr. Cai can determine if their patients can benefit from orthognathic surgery. If Dr. Cai recommends this surgery to one of her patients, she may refer that patient to a local oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has been specially trained to perform the surgery. Typically, patients who can benefit from this surgery often exhibit the following:

  • Difficulty in biting, chewing, or swallowing food
  • Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headaches
  • Excessive wear of the biting surfaces of the teeth
  • Open bite, receding chin, or protruding jaw
  • Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
  • Inability to close the lips without straining
  • Sleep apnea, snoring, or other issues when breathing while sleeping

Generally speaking, if orthodontic treatment can resolve the problem, then that is where the patient will start; however, even though orthodontic treatment can properly align the teeth, sometimes it is the jaws themselves that need to be brought into alignment. In most cases, braces or retainers are used before and after a patient undergoes orthognathic surgery to ensure he or she will end up with a proper bite.

 

The Use Of Advanced Technologies

Today, patients needing orthognathic surgery can see the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of this surgery through the use of digital imaging technology. High-tech materials like titanium plates and tiny screws are used to provide stability, strength, and predictability to this surgery. Computerized treatment planning shortens treatment times and the overall effectiveness of orthognathic surgery. All these advanced technologies and procedures reduce post-surgical recovery time, allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery is completed.

 

Contact Dr. Lauren Cai Today!

Everyone deserves to have a healthy and attractive smile! That's why our practice is dedicated to helping each patient we serve to achieve his or her best possible smile! If you have any questions about orthognathic surgery, please feel free to contact us during regular office hours, as we're always more than happy to speak with you. You can reach us at either of our two offices located in Longview and Vancouver, WA.