Maxillofacial Surgeon Near Me Who Can Resolve Jaw Problems

Like most crucial body parts, your jaw works tirelessly to help you live your best life. Jaws (also called mandibles) are more than just frames for your impressive smile. They also play a vital role in how you speak, chew your food, breathe, and even yawn (although we’re still not sure why humans and animals do that).

Also, how your jaw is shaped plays a massive role in your appearance. If your jaws are aligned correctly, you probably don’t even notice them. However, for those living with a jaw misalignment, the condition makes them very aware of how their jaws operate. Those in Encinitas, California, living with this misalignment often experience pain and reduced oral function. If you or someone you care about is suffering from this condition, it’s essential to seek treatment right away before things get worse.

Thankfully, Pearlmax Oral Surgery’s head Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. German Trujillo, can resolve your jaw-related health issues with solutions ranging from corrective jaw surgery to complete jaw reconstruction surgery.

Jaw Operation For Underbite

An underbite is a common dental condition where a person’s bottom teeth stick out beyond their upper teeth. This misalignment is also called a “reverse bite” or Class 3 Malocclusion. Many underbites are barely noticeable, while there are a few more severe cases in which the lower jaw juts out far beyond the upper jaw. The 90’s cartoon character “Beavis” from “Beavis and Butthead” is an exaggerated example (but not too far off).

Treating this condition through orthognathic surgery corrects an underbite by reshaping your lower jaw to make it shorter or by reshaping your upper jaw to make it longer. As you can probably imagine, this surgery is fairly invasive and is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The patient will also need to be admitted into a hospital for a brief recovery period.

This surgery is generally recommended for those in their late teens to adults since children’s jawbones are still forming. The entire process can take two to three years, including the orthodontic treatment needed to prepare your teeth for the surgery, followed by additional orthodontic treatment that can last up to 12 months after surgery.

Most people tend to notice improvement during the healing process after about six to eight weeks. However, everyone’s body recovers at a different pace, and this process cannot be rushed. Generally, the post-healing stage can take up to four months. While there may be some jaw discomfort, most people report the most problematic issue is their craving for solid foods they can’t yet eat. There’s also slight discomfort when yawning, coughing, and sneezing, with some reporting occasional jaw spasms.

Dr. Trujillo would begin your treatment using 3D imaging and digital radiographs to better understand your jaw misalignment. The imaging can also preview your treatment’s final outcome, giving you a sneak peek into your smile’s new future.

Maxillofacial Surgeon Near Me in Encinitas, California

Having your jaws aligned correctly can be life-changing. Many patients experience a greatly improved quality of life and are free from jaw discomfort after having this procedure. To learn more about jaw corrective surgery, call Pearlmax Oral Surgery at (858) 434-7554 to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Trujillo. Pain relief and improved health are just a phone call away.

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