Corrective jaw surgery uses modern techniques and instruments to remedy a wide range of injuries, developmental problems, and defects in the jaw. It's performed by a maxillofacial surgeon, and it’ll relieve discomfort, facilitate chewing and speaking, and may improve sleep. Here are some of the most common reasons an oral surgeon may recommend this procedure.

Which Dental Issues Require Surgery?

1. Incorrect Bite Alignment

Many people are genetically predisposed to have a malocclusion, meaning an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. These conditions can also be caused or worsened by bad habits in childhood, like thumb sucking, which can lead to a skeletal deformity and thus misaligned teeth. Crooked teeth can affect your facial appearance and cause a weakened bite, making your pearly whites more vulnerable to unusual wear and breakage. In some cases, patients can’t close their teeth or lips together, and an oral surgeon will need to shift the jawbone to create alignment.

2. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition which causes someone to stop breathing temporarily during sleep. The most common form of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the tongue and surrounding tissues sag into the throat during sleep. Shifting the jaw forward can prevent this effect and help keep the airway clear throughout the night.

If you think you need corrective dental surgery, contact Lyle C. Yanagihara DDS, MS in Honolulu, HI. This experienced oral surgeon welcomes patients of all ages from across Oahu. Dr. Yanagihara and his team have treated several oral conditions, such as cleft lip and palate repairs. Learn more about their surgical procedures online, or call (808) 973-1433 to schedule an appointment.