Essentially:
• Surgical orthodontic treatment combines jaw surgery with braces or aligners to correct severe bite and jaw alignment problems that orthodontics alone cannot fix.
• The process follows a structured, multi-phase timeline — pre-surgical orthodontics, surgery, and post-surgical refinement.
• Patients in Taylorsville have access to this specialized care through a practice with verified surgical orthodontic services on-site.
Surgical orthodontic treatment is a structured, multi-phase process designed for patients whose jaw discrepancies go beyond what braces or aligners can correct on their own. Understanding the planning timeline before your first consultation helps you set realistic expectations and ask the right questions.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics and Who Needs It
Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct severe cases, including bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusion. It is not a routine procedure — it is reserved for cases where the skeletal structure itself is the root cause of the problem.
Surgical orthodontics may be needed when orthodontic treatments alone cannot correct jaw misalignment, and these treatments are typically reserved for adult patients once their jaw is done growing.
Common conditions that may lead to a surgical referral include:
• Significant overbite, underbite, or open bite
• Jaw asymmetry affecting chewing, speech, or breathing
• Severe jaw discrepancies where the upper or lower jaws may be too large, too small, or have developed asymmetrically
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the nine dental specialties and focuses on treating complex craniofacial cases involving the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. This means your care will involve a coordinated team, not a single provider.
The Surgical Orthodontic Planning Timeline
Planning is the most involved phase of the entire process. The roadmap for orthognathic surgery begins with pre-surgical orthodontic treatment to align the teeth within each jaw before surgical repositioning — a phase that typically lasts for several months and ensures optimal post-surgical occlusion.
At the Taylorsville practice, this preparation is taken seriously. Prior to any surgical orthodontic treatments, approximately a year and a half is spent on alignment, and Dr. Ahrens works with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
Once teeth are properly positioned, the surgical planning phase begins. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, orthognathic surgery planning relies on imaging, bite analysis, and close collaboration between the orthodontist and surgeon. Planning is based on clinical examination, evaluation of pictures and cephalometry, and X-rays and pictures can be superimposed in commercially available planning software to visualize profile changes.
After surgery, the work is not finished. After surgery, patients work with Dr. Ahrens to complete their orthodontic treatments to ensure their teeth have moved to the proper position. Postoperative care encompasses pain management, dietary modifications, and physiotherapy, while post-surgical orthodontic refinement ensures the occlusion remains stable as soft tissues adapt.
Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Orthodontic Options: A Comparison
Not every bite problem requires surgery. The table below outlines key differences to help frame a conversation with your orthodontist.
|
Factor |
Standard Orthodontics |
Surgical Orthodontics |
|
Jaw position correction |
Limited to tooth movement |
Repositions the jaw itself |
|
Typical candidates |
Mild to moderate misalignment |
Severe skeletal discrepancies |
|
Treatment length |
12-24 months |
2-3+ years (including pre/post phases) |
|
Provider team |
Orthodontist only |
Orthodontist + oral surgeon |
For patients with bite concerns, jaw alignment treatment can improve comfort, speech, and chewing ability, and in more advanced cases, surgical orthodontic treatments may be recommended as part of a complete treatment plan.
What to Expect at Your Taylorsville Consultation
The team explains every option clearly, so patients understand what to expect before treatment begins. A first consultation for surgical orthodontic treatments in Taylorsville KY will typically include a full bite assessment, imaging review, and a discussion of whether surgery is genuinely indicated.
Dr. Gerry Ahrens has specialized training in surgical treatments, standard edgewise brackets, lingual braces, and mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage. As a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association, Dr. Gerry stays current with the latest orthodontic techniques and technologies.
Key questions to bring to your consultation:
• Is my jaw discrepancy skeletal or dental in origin?
• What does the pre-surgical orthodontic phase involve for my specific case?
• Who is the oral and maxillofacial surgeon you collaborate with?
• What does post-surgical follow-up look like, and for how long?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between orthognathic surgery and jaw alignment treatment? Jaw alignment treatment through orthodontics moves teeth within the existing bone structure. Orthognathic surgery physically repositions the jaw bones and is used when the skeletal discrepancy is too large for tooth movement alone to resolve.
How long does the full surgical orthodontic process take? The pre-surgical orthodontic phase alone can take 12 to 18 months. Post-surgical orthodontic refinement adds additional time, making the full process typically two to three years or more depending on case complexity.
Will my treatment plan ever change after it is set? In treating jaw deformities, the initial treatment should not be strictly adhered to without a preoperative review — surgical planning should always be considered to reduce the patient’s burden and optimize the stability of the occlusion.
Is surgical orthodontic treatment only for adults? Surgical orthodontic treatments are typically reserved for adult patients once their jaw is done growing, since operating on a still-developing jaw can compromise long-term results.
If you are considering jaw surgery as part of your orthodontic care, starting with a thorough consultation is the most important step. Ahrens Orthodontics- Taylorsville offers surgical orthodontic services at its Taylorsville location and coordinates care with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to support patients through each phase of treatment. Reach out to the Taylorsville office at (502) 426-2744 to schedule a consultation and get a clear picture of what your treatment path would look like.