Jaw Surgery in Salt Lake City
Services
Orthognathic surgery, more commonly referred to as Jaw Surgery, is surgery that specifically addresses the position of the teeth and jaws to improve the bite, airway and facial disproportion. Generally, jaw surgery is performed after growth stops. This would be around ages 14 to 16 for women and 17 to 21 for men.
Top Tier Treatments
Our board certified doctor, Ken Baldwin, DDS and his team are proud to offer the following services available under an OMS license.
- Wisdom Teeth
- Anesthesia and Sedation
- Tooth Extraction
- Dental Implants
- Grafting
- Orthognathic Surgery
How Do I Know if I Need Jaw Surgery?
Most people who have a malocclusion (abnormal bite) can have this corrected with simple orthodontics. However, in some cases the malocclusion is caused by an abnormal positioning or size of the jaws which are disproportionate to each other. Straightening the teeth is therefore not likely to produce a normal bite and the position of the jaws must be addressed. The process starts with a course in orthodontics and is then followed by surgery. Dr. Baldwin works with several orthodontists to prepare the patients prior to their surgery.
Jaw surgery may be performed in order to help with:
What to Expect Before, During, and After Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery is done by a licensed Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. It is usually done under general anesthesia and will require a two to four day stay following the procedure. During the procedure, your surgeon makes cuts in the jawbones and moves them to the correct position. Once completed, tiny bone plates, screws, wires, and rubber bands may be used to keep the bones in their new position.
In certain cases, extra bone may be added to the jaw. This can be transferred from your hip, leg, or rib. The surgeon secures this additional bone with plates and screws. In other cases, bone can also be reshaped. Jaw surgery can be done on the upper jaw, lower jaw, chin, or any combination of these.
Looking for Help?
We know that you have questions and are ready to answer them! Our experienced team believes in transparency and will always talk through your options.