Orthognathic Surgery
Restore Function and Health
The jaw plays an important role in everyday functions, such as chewing, speaking, and breathing. When the jaw is misaligned, these functions can be compromised and even affect oral health. TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, orthodontic and bone structure issues are common oral health complications due to jaw misalignment. Conservative treatments may be able to correct the issue, but severe or complex cases may require surgical treatment, called orthognathic surgery.
Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?
Simply put, orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery. The purpose of orthognathic surgery is to correct jaw alignment for optimal function and health. Orthognathic surgery is used to treat many conditions, such as facial trauma injury or birth defects. For other oral health issues, orthognathic surgery may be recommended if conservative treatments fail to correct the issue. Common symptoms of jaw misalignment that may require orthognathic surgery include:
- Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
- Lips do not meet together
- Breathing problems
- Protruding or receding jaw
- Sleep apnea
- Excessive wear on teeth
- Ongoing jaw (TMJ) pain
- Open bite (teeth that do not meet together)
If you have been referred for orthognathic surgery or are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact Boulder Oral Surgery for a consultation with Dr. Nedbalski or Dr. Luter. He will perform a complete oral evaluation, diagnose your condition, and formulate the right treatment plan for you.
Orthognathic Surgery Procedure
Our care team is waiting to welcome you at Boulder Oral Surgery and ensure you have the best possible experience. During your consultation, we encourage you to ask questions about your condition, your procedure, and what to expect. We will also provide pre-operative and post-operative instructions to help you prepare for treatment and optimize your recovery. Your orthognathic surgery treatment may also include the assisted efforts of your dentist or orthodontist to achieve the best results. It is very common for an orthodontist to prepare the mouth with braces before surgical treatment.
In general, orthognathic surgery requires repositioning a portion of the jaw using wires, plates, and screws. When you come to Boulder Oral Surgery on the day of your surgical procedure, we will make sure you feel completely at ease before we begin. Dr. Nedbalski or Dr. Luter will administer the anesthesia discussed and chosen during your consultation, and then get to work on your new, functional, healthy smile.
Although most patients can expect to take two weeks to one month off from work or school following their surgical procedure, the bones will take several more weeks to heal in their new position. It may even take up to one year to experience the full functionality of the jaw. During your healing period, you may be expected to visit your oral surgeon and orthodontist regularly to ensure you are healing as you should. All post-surgical guidelines should be followed as instructed to optimize healing and reduce the risk of complications.
Please contact Boulder Oral Surgery if you are experiencing any issues. We will make every effort to assist you promptly.
Types of Anesthesia
Boulder Oral Surgery performs a wide scope of oral surgery procedures and offers many types of anesthesia for the comfort and safety of our patients. The anesthesia used for your procedure will be selected by your oral surgeon. Your health history, personal preference, and unique treatment plan will all be considered when deciding which anesthesia is right for you.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Orthognathic Surgery and other procedures.
"My doctor here has been amazing to work with, easy to talk to, answered all of my questions. My procedure went very well. My recovery was amazing as well. I feel great now."
"Well, in my original consultation, Dr. Nedbalski walked me through the entire procedure. He explained everything he was going to do, so it really put my mind at ease. He’s a very caring, competent oral surgeon. My overall experience at Boulder Oral Surgery was really good. "
"My experience was wonderful. Dr. Nedbalski took the time to explain the procedure, and the procedure was very smooth. This procedure was life-changing! "
"The procedures for each one of my children was really fast. The team was really good—clearly extremely experienced and very reassuring about what the process would look like. "
"he staff was incredibly friendly and comforting. Dr. Luter was very professional. He was kind. He made me feel at ease. He explained everything that he was going to do. "
"The staff here was absolutely excellent. They went above and beyond to let me know the process. Dr. Chai is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He completely put me at ease and he talked me through the entire process. It went incredibly well."
"Dr. Nedbalski is a really nice guy—he has always a smile, he always explains things. I always like him because he has such a warm personality, and you know he’s going to do good work. The procedure I went through was just fine. Recovery was good."
"The office is really warm and inviting, and I had previously had experience there with one of my children, and the people are very friendly. I am really happy with my results. It went well and healed well. "
"Dr. Nedbalski explains them to me very easily, very quickly, and he was very gentle and very kind. Dr. Nedbalski's team is absolutely amazing, and each one knows what they're supposed to do, and they do it well. My experience here was life-changing. "
Building Better Smiles For Boulder
At Boulder Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, our goal is to bring you the best smile possible through exceptional oral surgery services tailored to meet your unique needs. From your first appointment to well after your procedure, we are here to support you on your journey to optimal oral health. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and discover the life-changing power of oral surgery.