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What to Know About Orthodontic Treatment and Orthodontic Surgery

For most patients, orthodontic treatment is enough to straighten teeth. Other patients, though, require surgery after they complete treatment to achieve a great smile and perfect bite.

Our oral surgeon in Melbourne would like to share information on why some patients require surgery after orthodontic treatment.

Crooked Teeth is More Than a Cosmetic Issue

Perfectly straight teeth look fantastic! They also do a great job of biting and chewing food.

When you bite down, the teeth on your upper and lower jaws should come together precisely. The chewing surfaces should mesh perfectly, with the raised points of one tooth fitting into the grooves of the other. Dental professionals refer to this as occlusion or bite.

Crooked teeth, also known as malocclusions or “bad bite, can detract from your smile and do a poor job of grinding up your food.

Causes of Malocclusion

Several factors can contribute to a misaligned bite. These factors include:

  • Mismatch between the size of the patient’s jaw and their teeth that results in crowding or excess space between teeth; this mismatch may be genetic, with the trait passed through generations
  • History of thumb-sucking
  • Prolonged use of a pacifier
  • Premature loss of primary (baby) teeth
  • Impacted teeth, which are permanent teeth that didn’t emerge from the gum correctly
  • Jaw injuries
  • Poorly-fitting crowns, bridges, or other dental work
  • Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism

Common Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatment is a process that improves the alignment of a patient’s teeth and jaws.

Treatment options include:

  • Braces – usually made with metal or ceramic brackets and wires, known as archwires
  • Aligners – plastic trays
  • Retainers – to keep teeth in their optimal position

 These orthodontic treatments work well to correct several issues, such as:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Poor spacing of teeth
  • Overbites, in which the top teeth overlap the lower teeth too much when the patient bites down
  • Underbites, in which the patient’s bottom teeth extend beyond their upper teeth when they bite down
  • Crossbites, in which the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the patient bites down

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Braces, aligners, and retainers all work the same way to straighten teeth: through gentle, steady pressure on teeth to move them towards their optimal position in the jaw. The pressure travels down the tooth and into the tooth’s root, stimulating changes in jaw tissue. More specifically, the tissue dissolves in front of the tooth, allowing it to move within the jaw; the tissue then hardens behind the tooth to prevent it from moving back towards its original position.

Orthodontic Treatments are Highly Effective for Most Patients

Orthodontic treatment works for most patients. A 2024 study found a 90% success rate with metal braces and an 88% success rate with plastic aligners. Another study found that 91% of patients were satisfied with their results.

However, Some Patients Need Orthodontic Surgery After Braces

While orthodontic treatment with metal braces, plastic aligners, and retainers works well for most patients, they can’t overcome skeletal problems that prevent teeth from aligning properly. Orthodontic surgery, also known as surgical orthodontics or orthognathic surgery, can reposition the jaws to help improve alignment.

Orthodontic surgery may be able to help patients with:

  • A receding chin
  • A prominent jaw
  • Facial asymmetry

Types of Orthodontic Surgery

The three main types of orthodontic surgery are:

  • Maxilla surgery – used when the patient’s upper jaw sticks out too much or too little
  • Mandible surgery – used when the lower jaw protrudes too much or too little
  • Double jaw surgery – helpful when the patient has an issue with both the upper and lower jaw

Orthodontic Surgery is Usually Done After Orthodontic Treatment – Here’s Why

Orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners helps teeth fit together properly once the jaws are moved to new positions. Another reason is that patients can’t have orthodontic surgery until their jaws stop growing, usually late in their teenage years.

Some patients must resume orthodontic treatment after surgery to “fine-tune” their smile and bite.

If You Need Surgery after Orthodontic Treatment, Consult with the Oral Surgeon Melbourne FL Residents Rely On

Creating a great smile often relies on teamwork between an orthodontist, a dentist specializing in straightening teeth, and an oral surgeon. Many orthodontists in Melbourne, FL, prefer working with our oral surgeon, Dr. Sedaros, because we work hard to ensure a pleasant experience and the best surgical outcomes possible.

For more information, contact Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants.